CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 Volume 23 Issue 38

17 ARE WE DRAMA QUEENS?

Is the LGBTQ community overreacting to the Trump
administrations actions, or are they justified
in raising the alarm?

24
By John Riley

FACING FEAR
Queer, Muslim, an immigrant and female. Urooj Arshad
has every reason to fear the Trump Administration.
Shes not going down without a fight.

Inerview by Randy Shulman

Photography by Todd Franson

33 FORWARD MOVEMENT
Caroline, Or Change is bittersweet and beautiful, while
I Wanna Fucking Tear You Apart is acerbically funny

By Andr Hereford

SPOTLIGHT: OSCAR SHORTS p.7 OUT ON THE TOWN p.11

MODERN ROMANCE: SUCKER FOR LOVE p.13 WEIGHING IN: MORGAN GOULD p.14
THE FEED: ARE WE DRAMA QUEENS? p.17 COMMUNITY: FLOUR POWER p.19
SCENE: CAPITAL PRIDE REVEAL PARTY p.22 FEATURE p.24 GALLERY: ESSA NEIMA p.31
STAGE: CAROLINE, OR CHANGE p.33 STAGE: I WANNA FUCKING TEAR YOU APART p.34
STAGE: AS YOU LIKE IT p.35 NIGHTLIFE p.37 SCENE: SUPERBOWL SUNDAY AT NELLIES p.39
LISTINGS p.39 SCENE: JR.S p.45 LAST WORD p.46

Real LGBT News and Entertainment since 1994

Editorial Editor-in-Chief Randy Shulman Art Director Todd Franson Managing Editor Rhuaridh Marr Senior Editor John Riley Contributing Editor Doug Rule
Senior Photographers Ward Morrison, Julian Vankim Contributing Illustrator Scott G. Brooks Contributing Writers Andr Hereford,
Sean Maunier, Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingfield Webmaster David Uy Production Assistant Julian Vankim
Sales & Marketing Publisher Randy Shulman National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media Co. 212-242-6863 Distribution Manager Dennis Havrilla
Patron Saint Sabeen Mahmud Cover Photography Todd Franson

Metro Weekly 1775 I St. NW, Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 202-638-6830
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2017 Jansi LLC.

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 5

 Spotlight
Piper
OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS 2017:
ANIMATION
B
ECAUSE OF THEIR BREVITY, AS WELL AS LOWER
cost and profile, short films offer directors room to
explore and experiment with what they show and how
they show it.
As such, shorts are often viewed as calling cards by which
new directors can seek to gain a foothold in Hollywood. And
some of them might, as Landmark Theatres puts it, become the
directing stars of tomorrow. As is now tradition, Landmark
screens several feature-length programs of all the shorts up
for Oscars at the upcoming Academy Awards, to be presented
Sunday, Feb. 26.
While Disneys Zootopia is the blockbuster to beat in the
Opens Friday, Feb. 10. E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. Call 202-452-7672 or visit landmarktheatres.com. Make sure you play our
Landmark/Metro Weekly Oscar poll for a chance to win 10 passes to any Landmark Theatres, nationwide. Visit metroweekly.com.
Pearl
Pear Cider and Cigarettes
Animated Feature category, its a more wide open and unknown
lot in the Animated Shorts category. Close Oscar-watchers think
the winner is likely to be either Alan Barillaros Piper, a film pro-
duced by Pixar, or Patrick Osbornes Pearl, produced by Google
Spotlight Stories. Both screen in a package of eight films at the
E Street Cinema and include the other three Oscar nominees:
Borrowed Time by Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj, Blind
Vaysha by Theodore Ushev, and Robert Valleys Pear Brandy
and Cigarettes, which features depictions of violence, sex and
drug use, making it the only film in this collection unsuitable for
children. See Film in Out On the Town for details on the other
two programs. Doug Rule
FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 7
 Spotlight
LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS
The Center for the Arts at George Mason University
presents a one-night-only performance of a
50-year-old Neil Simon comedy, in a new revival
from Philadelphias Walnut Street Theatre. Adam
Immerwahr directs what the Philadelphia Inquirer
called a blisteringly funny production of Simons
examination of the sexual revolution of the 60s
and one middle-aged mans attempts to get in on
all the free love action by arranging extramarital
trysts with three different women. Sunday, Feb.
12, at 7 p.m. GMU Concert Hall, 4373 Mason Pond
Drive, Fairfax. Tickets are $26 to $44. Call 888-945-
2468 or visit gmu.edu/cfa.

JULY TALK
An increasingly popular, Juno Award-winning modern rock
band in Canada, July Talk hasnt quite taken off yet south of the
border. Which is why you can enjoy that rare, fleeting pleasure
of taking in an intimate show with a band that will likely soon
fill much larger venues here as well as at home. Vocalists Peter
Dreimanis and Leah Fay lead the five-piece group. Mona, an all-
boy band from Nashville, opens. Monday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. DC9,
1940 9th St. NW. Tickets are $13 in advance, or $15 day-of show.
Call 202-483-5000 or dcnine.com.

FAIRFAX SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Christopher Zimmerman helps the FSO kick off the new
year and the beginning of its 60th anniversary celebration
with a concert focused on Beethovens Triple Concerto,
featuring National Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster
Nurit Bar-Josef (pictured), cellist Amit Peled, and pianist
Alon Goldstein. Also on the bill for this season concert is
Coriglianos Elegy for Orchestra and Vaughan Williams
Symphony No. 5. Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. George Mason
University Center for the Arts, 4373 Mason Pond Drive,
Fairfax. Tickets are $39 to $65. Call 888-945-2468 or visit
fairfaxsymphony.org.

8 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY

 Spotlight
TINDER LIVE!
Lane Moores comic routine focuses on the crazy world of
online dating, specifically via Tinder. In addition to sharing
tips, tricks, behavioral observations and anecdotes, Moore
actually fires up her account to engage the audience in
helping her choose who she should swipe right on and what
to say to them. Shes even been known to call them and
attempt to get them to the theater. Joining Moore on the
D.C. stop is the Washington Post humorist and columnist
Alexandra Petri and actress Heather Matarazzo (Welcome
to the Dollhouse, Hostel 2). Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m.
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Tickets are $25. Call 202-
328-6000 or visit thelincolndc.com.

DAVID FRUM
Over the past generation, we have seen ominous indicators
of a breakdown of the American political system, says David
Frum, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush.
Now a senior editor at The Atlantic, Frum shares his insights
in the magazines cover story How Trump Could Build an
Autocracy. The piece concludes by noting that if Trump
continues to chip away at democracy, it will be up to the
public and Congress to agitate and push back. Frum weighs
in on the topic in a conversation with The Atlantics Editor-
in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg. Thursday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. Sixth
& I Historic Synagogue. 600 I St. NW. Tickets are $15. Call
202-408-3100 or visit sixthandi.org.

GMCWS GENOUT CHORUS

Youth Invasion is the aptly named first
full-fledged concert featuring the Gay
Mens Chorus of Washingtons youth cho-
rus, joined by the Arlington Childrens
Chorus. Affirmative songs on the program
include I Am What I Am, Beautiful, Be
Like the Bird, and Shut Up and Dance.
Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. Lang Theatre
in the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333
H St. NE. Tickets are $20 to $35. Call 202-
399-7993 or visit gmcw.org.

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 9

BICHARD
Out On The Town

BURLESQUE-A-PADES: LOVELAND
New Yorks Angie Potani, billed as the International Queen of Burlesque, presents the 10th anniversary of a Valentines
Day-themed show mixing performances in the revived art of striptease with magic, music and comedy. Magician Albert
Cadabra hosts an evening featuring performances by Potani and her tap-dancing sister Helen, Baltimore performance artist
Cherie Nuit, boylesque artist Mister Gorgeous, LGBTQ burlesque artist The Maine Attraction, Gal Friday aka The Five
Alarm Fire of Burlesque, and as seen on Americas Got Talent, Philadelphias Peek-A-Boo Revue featuring Ginger Leigh,
Cherry Bomb and Sophie Sucre. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m. The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Tickets
are $29.50. Call 703-549-7500 or visit birchmere.com.

Compiled by Doug Rule
FILM
FIFTY SHADES DARKER
More BDSM-lite on the big screen
in time for Valentines Day, with the
second in the trilogy based on E.L.
Jamess popular series of books,
Fifty Shades of Grey. The sequel
is said to be more a thriller than a
romance. Jamie Dornan returns as
Christian Grey, whose on-again/off-
again relationship with Anastasia
Steele (Dakota Johnson) is threat-
ened by his past. Kim Basinger joins
in the fun to play Greys business
partner and former lover the one
who introduced him to kink in the
first place. Opens Friday, Feb. 10.
Area theaters. Visit fandango.com.
FLESH AND THE DEVIL
The Valentines Day-themed offer-
ing in Atlas Silent Film Series is a
1926 romance that featured scintil-
lating love scenes more erotic than
anything Hollywood had produced
until then. They were so convincing
they made real-life lovers out of
stars Greta Garbo and John Gilbert.
Clarence Browns melodrama is
credited with launching Garbo to
superstardom. Composer and pia-
nist Andrew Earle Simpson per-
forms original live music accom-
paniment. Sunday, Feb. 12, at 4
p.m. Lab Theatre II, 1333 H St. NE.
Tickets are $20 and include free
popcorn. Call 202-399-7993 or visit
atlasarts.org.
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2
Keanu Reeves reprises his role as a
hitman who must go on on the run
after a bounty is placed on his head.
Common, Laurence Fishburne and
John Leguizamo also star in the
sequel to the 2014 thriller, part of
yet another blockbuster film trilogy.
Some people just cant get enough on the work of volunteer rescue
action. Opens Friday, Feb. 10. Area
theaters. Visit fandango.com.
OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT
FILMS 2017: DOCUMENTARY
With no documentary nominees
this year clocking in at under 20
minutes and two running nearly
40 minutes, Landmark split the
films into two programs. Program
A includes Joes Violin, Kahane
Coopermans tale connecting a
91-year-old Holocaust survivor
and a 12-year-old American girl,
Extremis, Dan Krausss examination
of harrowing end-of-life decisions,
and Daphne Matziarakis 4.1 Miles,
a profile of a coast guard captain
credited with saving thousands of
lives during the European migrant
crisis. Program B offers two time-
ly views of a woeful world, both
from the still ongoing Syrian Civil
War. Theres The White Helmets
by Orlando von Einsiedel, focused
workers in Syria, and Watani: My
Homeland by Marcel Mettelsiefen,
which follows a Syrian refugee
family attempting a new life in
Germany. Opens Friday, Feb. 10.
West End Cinema, 2301 M St. NW.
Call 202-534-1907 or visit land-
marktheatres.com.
OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT
FILMS 2017: LIVE ACTION
Its an all-international affair among
the five live action nominees at this
years Oscars. They include Kristof
Deaks Sing (Hungary), Aske Bangs
Silent Nights (Denmark), Juanjo
Gimenez Penas Timecode (Spain),
Selim Aazzazis Ennemis Interieurs
(France) and Timo von Guntens
La Femme et la TGV (Switzerland).
Opens Friday, Feb. 10. Landmarks
E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW.
Call 202-452-7672 or visit land-
marktheatres.com.

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 11

 originally conceived by Sheldon
Epps. To March 5. ArtSpace Falls
Church, 410 South Maple Ave.,
Falls Church. Tickets are $50. Call
703-436-9948 or visit creativecaul-
dron.org.
GIN GAME
Roz White and Doug Brown take
on D.L. Coburns play, which the
New York Times called a thorough-
ly entertaining lesson in the fine
art of theatrical finesse. Thomas
W. Jones II directs. To March 12.
MetroStage, 1201 North Royal St.,
Alexandria. Tickets are $55 to $60.
Call 800-494-8497 or visit metro-
stage.org.
HOODED, OR BEING
BLACK FOR DUMMIES
Tearrance Arvelle Chisholms irrev-
erent play follows a book-smart
prep-schooler and a street-savvy
drop-out from inner-city Baltimore,
as the two spend the night in a
holding cell. Serge Seiden directs
a world-premiere Mosaic Theater
production of the final play in
the three-part series Clamorous
LOVERS (above) Chaos Kitty is Looking Out for You by Kathy Turner Encounters: Coming of Age in
America, billed as likely the most
Members of Del Ray Artisans showcase their interpretations,
PHOTO COURTESY DEL RAY ARTISANS
across the country. To Feb. 19.
Produced by the Washington
Stage Guild. Undercroft Theatre of
Mount Vernon United Methodist
Church, 900 Massachusetts Ave.
NW. Call 240-582-0050 or visit
stageguild.org.
MACK, BETH
Helen Hayes-nominated play-
wright Chris Stezin offers a spin on
Shakespeares ultimate power cou-
ple, retooled for the cyber age. Matt
Ripa directs this modern twist on
the classic tale of greed and unbri-
dled ambition. Featuring Jennifer
J. Hopkins and Andrew Kelleras as
a high-achieving couple in a pres-
ent-day tech business. Remaining
performances Thursday, Feb. 9,
through Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m.
Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St.
NW. Tickets are $45 to $45. Call
202-265-3768 or visit keeganthe-
atre.com.
RATTLESNAKE
The Castleton, a Northern Virginia
estate founded by the late Lorin
Maazel, presents a one-man show
written by and starring John Hardy
that relates the devastating story of

urgent and pressing play in Season a West Texas man who goes to great
in their preferred visual arts medium, of the Valentines Day Two. To Feb. 19. Atlas Performing lengths to achieve fatherhood. Katy
theme affectionate pairings, defined broadly to allow for Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Tickets Brown directs. Saturday, Feb. 11,
some less-than-affectionate depictions of broken hearts and are $20 to $60. Call 202-399-7993 at 4 p.m. Castleton Theatre House,
or visit mosaictheater.org. 664 Castleton View Rd. Tickets are
lovers longing. The exhibit is on display to Feb. 26, with a $20 to $40. Call 703-489-8704 or
free Sweet Treat and Poetry event of patrons reading from I TOO SPEAK OF THE ROSE visit castletonfestival.org.
poems while enjoying desserts, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 6 Written by gay Mexican playwright
Emilio Carballido, Yo Tambin SWEENEY TODD
to 8 p.m. Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. Hablo de la Rosa is set in Mexico The brilliant E. Faye Butler plays
Alexandria. Call 703-731-8802 or visit thedelrayartisans.org. City in the 1960s and focuses on Mrs. Lovett and David Benoit takes
teenagers Toa and Polo, who acci- on the role of the Demon Barber in
dentally derail a train while playing Olney Theatres production of the
hooky from school. Hugo Medrano chilling Sondheim classic. He slits
directs this searing look at pov- their throats, she makes meat pies
THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE duo. Thursday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Packard Campus Theater, 19053 erty and societys response to it. out of them. Jason Loewith directs.
A spin-off of the 2014 action-com-
Mount Pony Rd. Culpeper, Va. Free. Performed in Spanish with English In previews. To March 5. Olney
edy that transported everyones
Call 202-707-9994 or visit loc.gov/ surtitles. To Feb. 26. GALA Theatre Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy
favorite interlocking toys from
avconservation. at Tivoli Square, 3333 14th St. NW. Spring Road, Olney, Md. Call 301-
childhood to the big screen. The
Call 202-234-7174 or visit galathe- 924-3400 or visit olneytheatre.org.
focus is on the characters from
atre.org.
Gotham City, led by Batman (Will
Arnett) and Robin (Michael Cera), STAGE THE HARD PROBLEM
and featuring Batgirl (Rosario
KING CHARLES III Tom Stoppards latest explores the
Dawson) and The Joker (Zach BABY SCREAMS MIRACLE Three years after giving us Cock, complexities of defining conscious-
A zealous family and their prodi- British playwright Mike Bartlett ness, the nature of belief, and how
Galifianakis). Opens Friday, Feb. 10.
gal daughter try to pray their way returns with his latest theatrical to reconcile hard science with lived
Area theaters. Visit fandango.com.
to safety during an apocalyptic effort. An Olivier-winning play that experience. Matt Torney directs
storm threatening their home in nods to Shakespeare, King Charles Studios 10-member cast, includ-
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
Clare Barrons new play, touted as II explores how Prince Charles ing Tessa Klein, Nancy Robinette,
Carrie Fisher doesnt likely spring
a Rorschach test for the faithful might rule were he to finally ascend Martin Giles, Kyle Cameron, and
to mind when thinking of Rob
and the faithless alike. Howard to the British throne. The New York Joy Jones. To Feb. 19. Studio
Reiners 1989 rom-com written
Shalwitz directs Kate Eastwood Times called it an intellectual- Theatre, 14th & P Streets NW. Call
by the late Nora Ephron. Instead,
Norris, Sarah Marshall and Cody ly and emotionally gripping study 202-332-3300 or visit studiothe-
you probably think of Meg Ryans
Nickell in a harrowing tale of sur- of the strangely enduring anach- atre.org.
legendary dinner scene, in which
vival and forgiveness. To Feb. 26. ronism that is the British monar-
she demonstrates to Billy Crystal
her ability to fake an orgasm. (Fun 641 D St. NW. Call 202-393-3939 or chy. Directed by David Muse. In THE RIVER
visit woollymammoth.net. previews. Opens Sunday, Feb. 12. A man and woman find love and
fact: Reiner let his mother speak the
To March 12. Sidney Harman Hall, mystery at a secluded fishing cabin
films most famous line, Ill have
what shes having.) Fisher plays BLUES IN THE NIGHT Harman Center for the Arts, 610 F in Jez Butterworths drama. Jeff
Virginias Creative Cauldron pres- St. NW. Call 202-547-1122 or visit Allin, Emma Jackson and Karen
one of the pairs best friends and her
ents a scorching, Tony-nominated shakespearetheatre.org. Novack star in a Spooky Action
supporting role is the only reason
musical revue interweaving clas- Theater production directed by
the Library of Congress needed to
justify screening When Harry Met sic blues and American Songbook LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC Rebecca Holderness. To Feb. 26.
standards by Bessie Smith, Duke Arlene Huttons charming World Universalist National Memorial
Sally as part of a limited series of
Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Harold War II-era play focuses on a fated Church, 1810 16th St. NW. Tickets
films starring either Fisher or her
Arlen, Jimmy Cox, Ida Cox and couple who meet on a train car- are $30 to $40. Call 202-248-0301
mother Debbie Reynolds, in a low-
more. Matt Conner directs a show rying F. Scott Fitzgeralds coffin or visit spookyaction.org.
key tribute to the recently departed

12 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY

WATCH ON THE RHINE
Marsha Mason (The Goodbye Girl)
stars in Lillian Hellmans thriller
about a man deeply involved in
anti-fascist movements prior to
WWII. Jackie Maxwell directs. To
March 5. Fichandler Stage in the
Mead Center for American Theater,
1101 6th St. SW. Call 202-488-3300
or visit arenastage.org.

WHOS AFRAID OF
VIRGINIA WOOLF?
Holly Twyford takes on the tow-
ering role of Martha in Edward
Albees acid-laced masterpiece
about a warring couple who bare
their fangs during cocktails with
a younger version of themselves.
Gregory Linington, Maggie Wilder

ALEXANDER MOROZOV
and Danny Gavigan round out the
strong, all-local cast of this admit-
tedly long play the runtime is
over three hours with two intermis-
sions that chances are youll find
ultimately worth every minute for
the wildly funny, heart-wrenching
and insightful things Albee says and
reveals about the human condition
and relationships. Aaron Posner

MODERN ROMANCE
directs. To Feb. 19. Fords Theatre,
511 10th St. NW. Tickets are $15
to $62. Call 800-982-2787 or visit
fords.org.
The eight storytellers in Sucker for Love celebrate lamour
MUSIC in all its forms

ALYSON CAMBRIDGE
After a decade of performances
on many leading opera and con-
cert stages, the sultry, sophisticated
jazz/cabaret artist makes her debut
at the Barns. The Washington Post
touted Cambridge, now touring
in support of the 2016 set of cov-
ers Until Now, as radiant, vocally
assured, dramatically subtle and
compelling and artistically imagi-
native. Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m.
The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap
Road, Vienna. Tickets are $25 to
$35. Call 877-WOLFTRAP or visit
wolftrap.org.
JACK QUARTET
The go-to quartet for contempo-
rary music, wrote the Washington
Post about a group of straightfor-
ward, unpretentious and energet-
ic musicians. The Clarice presents
the string group in a program of
contemporary compositions by
Ruth Crawford Seeger, Iannis
Xenakis, Morton Feldman, and
Julia Wolfe. Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8
p.m. Gildenhorn Recital Hall at the
University of Maryland, University
Boulevard and Stadium Drive.
College Park. Tickets are $25. Call
301-405-ARTS or visit theclarice.
umd.edu.
JAZZMEIA HORN
Originally from Dallas, the jazz
vocalist is quickly emerging as
one of the genres best new tal-
ents, winning prestigious titles in
the process, including the 2013
Sarah Vaughan International
S
TEPHANIE GARIBALDI HAS LONG THOUGHT OF HERSELF AS THE
Charlie Brown of Valentines Day. [It] used to be my least favorite holiday
in general, Garibaldi says. I thought it was very communist to order people
to be romantic on a specific day. And it works against the nature of romance, which
is inherently spontaneous. So I just thought, its no wonder that this never works out
well. It was always a huge disappointment.
Garibaldis disdain lasted until 2009, when she took matters into her own hands
and produced Sucker for Love, an annual Valentines Day-themed showcase from
Story District. I was just tired of not having a date on Valentines Day, so I thought
wed do a show so I wouldnt have to feel bad about that.
As Story Districts director of education, Garibaldi works with Mike Baireuther to
hand pick eight Sucker for Love storytellers. This year, two identify as LGBTQ, and
few are professional performers or writers. They have all kinds of different jobs,
Garibaldi says, and we work to help them tell their story in the most compelling
way. Garibaldi and Baireuther coach each storyteller and direct them as a group in
a series of rehearsals leading up to the big night at the Lincoln Theatre. I wont let
anyone get up there [and] bomb or not do well, she says. That helps no one. The
goal is to whip the stories into a natural, not theatrical, shape, as if your smartest,
funniest friend were telling you a story.
Garibaldi also coaches those who appear at Story Districts popular theme-driv-
en monthly shows at Town Danceboutique, including the Worst Date Ever Contest,
which takes place this year on Valentines Day. But Sucker for Love is a more involved,
tightly organized show, one presenting a broader look at the entire spectrum of love.
We usually have at least a couple stories that end happily, says Garibaldi, adding, I
always tell people, If youre having a really hard time with love, there will be at least
somebody up on that stage who has it worse. So that kind of makes you feel better
about your own. Doug Rule
Sucker for Love is Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW.
Tickets are $25. Call 202-328-6000 or visit storydistrict.com.

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 13

 Jazz Vocal Competition and the
2015 Thelonious Monk Institute
International Jazz Competition.
The Kennedy Center welcomes
back Horn to headline a concert in
the KC Jazz Club, after which she
will sign CDs in the States Gallery.
Friday, Feb. 10, at 7 and 9 p.m.
Kennedy Center Terrace Gallery.
Tickets are $35. Call 202-467-4600
or visit kennedy-center.org.

LAURA MVULA
LiveNation co-presents a
Valentines Day concert from a
30-year-old British R&B starlet. She
tours in support of her sophomore
set, The Dreaming Room. Tuesday,
Feb. 14, at 8 p.m. Sixth & I Historic
Synagogue. 600 I St. NW. Tickets
are $29.50 in advance, or $33.50
day-of show. Call 202-408-3100 or
visit sixthandi.org.

WICKED JEZABEL
Pauline Anson-Dross popular les-
bian all-covers party-rock band
TERESA WOOD

Wicked Jezabel has been rocking

as well as raising money for various
good causes all over the region for
a decade now, originally under the
name The Outskirts of Town. Next

WEIGHING IN
up, is a Be My Wicked Valentine
show. Friday, Feb. 10, at 9:30 p.m.
JVs Restaurant, 6666 Arlington
Blvd., Falls Church. Tickets are $12
to $15. Call 703-241-9504 or visit
In her debut outing, playwright Morgan Gould spotlights the bond jvsrestaurant.com.
between a gay man and an overweight woman
DANCE

H
E PERSONIFIES SOMETHING SO MANY OF US HAVE KNOWN OUR ALVIN AILEY
whole lives, which is that part of our society hates us, Morgan Gould says of AMERICAN DANCE THEATER
President Donald Trump. They really genuinely wish we would die. They gen- The celebrated dance company
returns to the Kennedy Center for
uinely hope for that. And its scary. its annual week of performanc-
Gould takes some solace in a post-election statement made by Gloria Steinem: This is es. This years program features
what happens just as youre struggling to get free. The abuser grabs one more time. This a new work by company member
Hope Boykin, whose r-Evolution,
is that moment and we can decide, No, were done. Dream is a large ensemble work
Only time will tell if thats true, she says. Until then, I cling to my gay friends. inspired by Martin Luther King,
Goulds deep bonds with her gay friends are what inspired I Wanna Fucking Tear You Jr., with music by Ali Jackson and
Apart, currently in its world premiere at the Studio Theatre. The title comes from a narration recorded by Tony win-
ner Leslie Odom, Jr. (Hamilton).
synth-rock song by She Wants Revenge, the intensity of which reflects the deep, compli- Kyle Abrahams Untitled America is
cated platonic friendships Gould has long had with gay men. a haunting three-part work shining
The play, which explores the friendship between a fat woman, Samantha, and her a light on the impact of the prison
system on African-American fami-
best gay friend and roommate, Leo, draws on Goulds real-life experiences, but is not lies. Ailey Artistic Director Robert
strictly autobiographical. The pair are as close as a married couple, but their bond is Battle, Rennie Harris, Ronald K.
threatened when Leo makes a new friend. Brown, Christopher Wheeldon,
She is what I lovingly call a basic bitch, Gould laughs. Shes a thin, beautiful night- Mauro Bigonzetti, Johan Inger and
Billy Wilson are also represented
mare. Shes also someone who hasnt had to struggle in the same manner as gay guys in the seven mixed-repertory pro-
and overweight women. Fat people are not the weakest people in the room, Gould says. grams, all of which conclude with
Were the strongest, because weve had to suffer a lot more than regular people. Gould Revelations, the masterpiece by
Ailey, who died of AIDS-related
feels I Wanna Fucking Tear You Apart sheds light on conditions not typically expressed complications in 1989. Tickets,
in mainstream entertainment, which tends to view gays as obsessed with sex and fat ranging from $39 to $125, remain
women as obsessed with food. for performances Thursday, Feb.
Im not some amazing political genius, says Gould. Im not some amazing com- 9, through Saturday, Feb. 11, at 7:30
p.m. Kennedy Center Opera House.
munity organizer. But I am a person who can create visibility for people who are often Call 202-467-4600 or visit kenne-
ignored. Doug Rule dy-center.org.

GEORGE MASON DANCE/

CAPITOL MOVEMENT DANCE
I Wanna Fucking Tear You Apart runs to Feb. 19 at the Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW.
To coincide with performances of
Call 202-332-3300 or visit studiotheatre.org. the Alvin Ailey American Dance

14 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY


PHOTO COURTESY GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR THE ARTS
TAJ EXPRESS: THE BOLLYWOOD MUSICAL
A cast of five dancers perform a showcase of Indian classical and contemporary dance
genres as seen in Bollywood blockbusters and set to high-energy Indian pop songs written
by composers A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire), the brother duo Salim and Sulaiman
Merchant, and Monty Sharma. The colorful, dazzling spectacle, which includes excerpts
from Bollywood films, is on its first tour of the states. Saturday, Feb. 18, at 8 p.m., and Sunday,
Feb. 19, at 4 p.m. Concert Hall in the George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4373
Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax. Tickets are $30 to $50. Call 888-945-2468 or visit gmu.edu/cfa.
Theater, the Kennedy Center
presents two local dance compa-
nies that go beyond classical train-
ing and tradition and perform a
variety of dance styles. On Friday,
Feb. 10, students from the George
Mason University School of Dance
perform original choreographed
works, and on Sunday, Feb. 12, the
Capitol Movement Dance Company
presents works combining artistry,
innovation, precision and story-
telling. On Saturday, Feb. 11, Ailey
artists will present a workshop
focused on the companys iconic
piece Revelations, and patrons are
advised to dress in clothing that
you can move in. Performances
are at 6 p.m. Millennium Stage. Call
202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-cen-
ter.org.
HAPPENSTANCE THEATER
The Helen Hayes Award-winning
ensemble-based company offers a
free NextLook event, co-present-
ed by the University of Maryland,
focused on its latest devised work
of movement and physical theater
weaving in text, live sound and ele-
ments drawn from the clown arts,
mime and improvisational theater.
Threshold revolves around moments
of transition, from the literal such
as entering and exiting spaces
to the conceptual, with notions of
crossing over and changing course
whether by meeting or parting,
learning and partnering, aging and
dying. Friday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. Joes
16 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY
Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker
Hill Road, Mount Rainier, Md. Pay
What You Wish. Call 301-699-1819
or visit theclarice.umd.edu.
COMEDY
AWKWARD SEX...AND THE CITY
Comedians from New York relive
their most awkward sex/dating/
relationship moments on stage at
this raunchy storytelling event,
which returns to D.C. at the Black
Cat. Gay comedian and Towleroad
columnist Bobby Hankinson will
add his awkward gay tales on an
otherwise Nasty Women Tour fea-
turing Jen Keefe, Anita Flores and
Karolena Theresa, with host Natalie
Wall. Friday, Feb. 10. Doors at 8
p.m. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW.
Tickets are $15. Call 202-667-4490
or visit blackcatdc.com.
UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE
Like the funniest extroverts at the
party, the improv troupe Upright
Citizens Brigade, which hails from
New York and Los Angeles, riffs on
D.C. and audience-members alike.
The brigade has many famous alum-
ni, including Amy Poehler and Ed
Helms. Sunday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m.
Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. 600 I
St. NW. Tickets are $20 in advance,
or $25 day-of show. Call 202-408-
3100 or visit sixthandi.org.
WASHINGTON IMPROV
THEATER: ROAD SHOW!
D.C.s leading company for long-
form improv offers a Wintry Mix,
a series of vignettes featuring differ-
ent ensembles, with each plot devel-
oped on-the-fly, spurred by a single
audience suggestion. Weekends to
Feb. 26. District of Columbia Arts
Center (DCAC), 2438 18th St. NW.
Tickets are $12 in advance, or $15 at
the door. Call 202-462-7833 or visit
witdc.org.
READINGS
STORY DISTRICT:
WORST DATE EVER
A preselected mix of storytellers
in Worst Date Ever: A Contest
something of a schadenfreude salve,
especially for those who have ever
suffered through a horrible date.
General admission tickets remain
only for the late show Tuesday,
Feb 14. Doors at 10 p.m. Town
Danceboutique, 2009 8th St. NW.
Cover is $15. Call 202-234-TOWN
or visit storydistrict.com.
EXHIBITS
JEFF SHENG:
FEARLESS PROJECT
An exhibition and photography
series focused on over 200 LGBT
student athletes in the U.S. and
Canada taken over the last decade by
American artist Jeff Sheng. Fearless
Project is presented in conjunc-
tion with the Washington National
Opera and its upcoming produc-
tion of Champion. On view through
March 18 in the Kennedy Center
Hall of Nations. Call 202-467-4600
or visit kennedy-center.org.
VIVIAN BEER: DRESSED UP AND
PINNED
The 2016 winner of Ellens Design
Challenge unveiled a new public
artwork last fall, principally a func-
tional bench that takes the shape
of a surreal stiletto high heel, invit-
ing passersby to take diva-esque
selfies in repose. Commissioned
by Arlington Public Art in the
Arlington Cultural Affairs Division,
the streamlined Art Deco-inspired
structure includes a drapery wrap-
ping around the facade of a new
Hyatt Place in the city. Conceived
while the lesbian furniture design-
er took up residence as an Artist
Research Fellow at the Smithsonian
National Air and Space Museum,
Dressed Up and Pinned is Beers
third piece of public art. Hyatt Place
Arlington/Courthouse Plaza, 2401
Wilson Blvd. Call 703-228-1850 or
visit arlingtonarts.org.
ABOVE & BEYOND
LA-TI-DO:
GEORGE MICHAEL TRIBUTE
A Valentines Day-inspired tribute
to the late gay pop star and his
songbook is the focus of an install-
ment of the long-running variety
series founded by Regie Cabico
and Don Mike. Held every other
Monday, La-Ti-Do chiefly focuses
on music and singing, enlisting pro-
fessionals from the theater or opera
worlds performing on their night
off, but also including spoken-word
poets, storytellers and comedi-
ans. Love Sucks, But You Gotta
Have Faith features performanc-
es by co-host Anya Randall Nebel,
Aaron Reeder, Soneka Anderson,
Caroline Dubberly, Kari Ginsburg,
Jane Petkofsky, Michael Sandoval,
and Charlie Wright. Pianist Taylor
Rambo provides accompaniment.
Monday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. Bistro
Bistro, 1727 Connecticut Ave. NW.
Tickets are $15, or only $10 if you
eat dinner at the restaurant before-
hand. Call 202-328-1640 or visit
latidodc.wix.com/latidodc.
MEDIEVAL MADNESS
An adventure set in 15th-century
England and featuring court jest-
ers, men in tights, and battling
knights trained by the European
Martial Arts Academy, Medieval
Madness blends art, history and
comedy show. Four-course feasts
every Friday starting at 7 p.m. John
Strongbows Tavern, 710 King St.
in Alexandria. Tickets are $65. Call
703-329-3075 or visit medievalmad-
ness.com. l
 theFeed
ARE WE DRAMA QUEENS?
Is the LGBTQ community overreacting to the Trump administrations actions, or are they
justified in raising the alarm? By John Riley
O
N THE DAY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
took the oath of office, the official White House
website got a makeover. It was a new look for a
new administration, with every trace of the Obamas exor-
cised. Unfortunately, the makeover also included removal
of a page on LGBTQ issues. In its place a number of
America First action plans and a section on First Lady
Melania Trumps jewelry line.
Soon after, LGBTQ issues were removed from the
Small Business Administration website, while the web-
site for the Office of National AIDS Policy was archived
before being removed completely amid reports that the
new administration had shuttered the office. Finally, a
statement from former Secretary of State John Kerry
apologizing for the State Departments persecution of
LGBTQ employees vanished from their website.
Many LGBTQ groups expressed concerns over the
erasure of the pages, though some argued it was nothing
to be concerned about, that it was just part of the tran-
sition process and not a slight against the community.
After all, it was just a few websites.
Then came rumors that the Trump administration
would rescind an order prohibiting LGBTQ discrimi-
nation from federal contractors. Outcry was sharp and
swift. The Human Rights Campaign called it deep-
ly troubling. LGBTQ organizations denounced any
attempt to rollback employment protections. Last week,
the Trump administration announced it would be leav-
ing the protections untouched, leaving advocates in the
lurch, as the administration sought to portray itself as
pro-LGBTQ.
Next came a leaked draft of a proposed religious
freedom executive order, written as a license to dis-
criminate against the LGBTQ community on the basis of
religion. Trumps administration rebuffed the expected
outcry, with a spokesperson saying the president had no
plans to sign any such order at this time. White House
Press Secretary Sean Spicer refused to comment on the
leaked draft.
These events demonstrate a repetitive pattern of
behavior: The administration takes an action, sets off a
firestorm of criticism from LGBTQ people, and Trump
then distances himself from the original controversy.
Those repeated rebuttals and the speed with which
LGBTQ groups have rushed to denounce Trump have
left some asking if we are overreacting to the threat
Trump poses?
Especially in regard to LGBT issues, Donald Trump
has not taken any actions. Period, says Gregory T.
Angelo, president of the Log Cabin Republicans. Any
reservations or fears that are being discussed on the
LGBT left are entirely the result of their own conjuring
of demons where there are none.
Angelo says its too early to draw any conclusions
about the Trump administrations record on LGBTQ
rights, at least until the first 100 days are over. At
the present time, Log Cabin Republicans, interestingly
enough, is taking Hillary Clintons words to heart, when
she said Donald Trump deserves an open mind and a
chance to lead. Were paying him deference in both of
those regards.
That deference and the suggestion of overreac-
tion is something author and political strategist David
Mixner rejects.
This isnt the left going crazy, he says. This is a
full-fledged attack on millions of Americans and our
constitution. Ive been organizing for 56 years, and I can
honestly, without hesitation, say never have I been more
concerned. From the LGBT communitys standpoint,
everything we have worked for is at stake.
Mixner has little patience for LGBTQ people who
say its too early to judge President Trump, calling their
defense of him splendid denial.
They remind me of the German Jews who say Hitler
would never take people to camps, he says. How can
anyone look at these appointments, with their history,
and his willingness to sign the religious freedom act,
which gives people permission to deny us service in
public accommodations and business, or [his promise to]
appoint justices to the Supreme Court who dont support
marriage equality, and think theres hope in that mes-
sage? Give me a fucking break.
Joe Murray, administrator of the Facebook group
LGBTrump, believes liberals are vilifying Trump
because they fear theyre losing the political strangle-
hold theyve held on the LGBTQ community for years.
There are political foes of Donald Trump who want
to use every opportunity to make his life harder as pres-
ident, says Murray. And then I think you have some
LGBT folks who are reading and listening to some of this
coverage, and becoming genuinely concerned. And that
concern is not based upon what I would call reality, its
based upon a media narrative thats being cultivated.
Murrays advice to liberals? You just have to take a
deep breath, recognize youre not going to agree with
this guy 100 percent of the time, and give him a chance
FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 17
 theFeed
to govern. You can challenge him on policies you disagree
with, but dont use these little namby-pamby stories to
make it almost impossible for this guy to govern.
Liberal LGBTQ groups insist theyre not crying wolf.
My first thought is that, given the rapid tempo of
policy actions that have come out of the White House
since the president was inaugurated, we are actually
well within our rights as advocates to be alarmed and
on alert, says Stacey Long Simmons, director of policy
and public affairs at the National LGBTQ Task Force.
[This is] an administration that has demonstrated that it
is much more important to pay attention to what they do
than what they say.
As Trump fulfills promises he made during last years
campaign with respect to policy, the LGBTQ community
should take him at his word, says David Stacy, govern-
ment affairs director for the Human Rights Campaign.
He hasnt put out specific proposals on religious
liberty during the campaign. On the other hand, the
Republican platform was the most anti-LGBTQ platform
in history. He hasnt distanced himself from those policy
positions, except rhetorically by saying hell be the most
pro-LGBTQ president in history.
Its that refusal to outright refuse to target the LGBTQ
community that should worry people. Jimmy LaSalvia,
co-founder of the now-defunct LGBTQ Republican
group GOProud, says the community should remember
Trumps propensity to create enemies and should not be
surprised if it finds itself a future target of his wrath.
I dont think that we can feel comfortable that there
hasnt been an effort to implement policy that would be
detrimental to our community, because it could happen
at any time, he says. One thing we know about the
Trump administration is that things can change in an
instant.
The community will spend the next four years walk-
ing a political tightrope, finding a balance between force-
fully speaking out against threats to rights and react-
ing to every perceived anti-LGBTQ action the Trump
administration takes says LaSalvia, who now identifies
as independent.
We know that, in his heart and in his gut, Donald
Trump is not anti-gay or some type of homophobe
who would make it a priority to be anti-LGBT, says
LaSalvia. But we also know that hes willing to say or
do anything if he thinks its of benefit to him. Thats why
its important for the LGBT community to be vigilant.
Its possible quick responses to potentially harmful pro-
posals floated by the Trump administration have helped
to keep anti-LGBTQ policies at bay. According to Politico,
the outcry from LGBTQ groups over repealing the Obama
nondiscrimination order and the proposed religious
freedom order attracted the attention of Ivanka Trump
and her husband, Jared Kushner. They were then able
to lean on her father and halt any attempts to reverse
LGBTQ progress.
One thing we know about the president is he pays
very close attention to social media and mass media,
says LaSalvia. And whoever leaked the draft executive
order did it on purpose so the president and his family
would see the reaction. That has worked, so far. l

18 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY

 Community
looking for new members. All
welcome. 7:30-9:30 p.m. King
Greenleaf Recreation Center,
201 N St. SW. For more infor-
mation, visit scandalsrfc.org or
dcscandals@gmail.com.

The DULLES TRIANGLES

Northern Virginia social
group meets for happy hour at
Sheraton in Reston. All wel-
come. 7-9 p.m. 11810 Sunrise
Valley Drive, second-floor bar.
For more information, visit
dullestriangles.com.

HIV TESTING at Whitman-

Walker Health. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at
1525 14th St. NW, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
at the Elizabeth Taylor Medical
Center, 1701 14th St. NW, and 8
a.m-5 p.m. at the Max Robinson
WARD MORRISON

Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave.

SE. For an appointment call
202-745-7000 or visit whit-
man-walker.org.

IDENTITY offers free and

FLOUR POWER
confidential HIV testing at
two separate locations. Walk-
ins accepted from 2-6 p.m.,
by appointment for all other
With its elaborate and sometimes naughty cakes, Scarlets Bake hours. 414 East Diamond Ave.,
Gaithersburg, Md. or 7676
Sale is the weeks tastiest fundraiser New Hampshire Ave., Suite

W
411, Takoma Park, Md. To set
E DONT REALLY LIMIT WHAT CAN BE DONATED, AS LONG AS ITS up an appointment or for more
LEGAL, says Danie Meyer. Weve had people come and donate some information, call Gaithersburg,
301-300-9978, or Takoma Park,
cakes, baked goods, handmade items, stained glass, gift baskets, wine bas- 301-422-2398.
kets, play equipment, even clothing. Weve raised tens of thousands over the years.
And that tens of thousands is put to good use, with Scarlets Bake Sale and METROHEALTH CENTER
offers free, rapid HIV testing.
Auction, now in its 46th year, donating proceeds to assist local LGBTQ organizations. Appointment needed. 1012 14th
This years auction benefits the Rainbow History Project, and will help fund a new St. NW, Suite 700. To arrange
LGBTQ college scholarship program. an appointment, call 202-638-
The bake sale takes place at the DC Eagle, on Sunday, Feb. 12, and the bidding can 0750.

get downright competitive, with some winners even re-selling items to see if they can SMYAL offers free HIV Testing,
raise more money. One consistently popular item is a bacon-and-apple pie. 3-5 p.m., by appointment and
People really like the bacon-and-apple pie, says Meyer, a member of the Scarlets walk-in, for youth 21 and
younger. Youth Center, 410 7th
Foundation board. Two or three of those will go up each year, and theyre always St. SE. 202-567-3155 or test-
quite the hit. John Riley ing@smyal.org.

Scarlets Bake Sale and Auction will take place from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. Us Helping Us hosts a
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
12 at The DC Eagle, 3701 Benning Rd. NE. Judging begins at 3 p.m., with the auction MEETING. The group is inde-
commencing at 3:30 p.m. Visit facebook.com/ScarletsBakeSale. pendent of UHU. 6:30-7:30
p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW.
For more information, call 202-
446-1100.
THURSDAY, February 9 DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) For more information, visit
WOMENS LEADERSHIP
practice session at Takoma dcfrontrunners.org.
Aquatic Center. 7:30-9 p.m. INSTITUTE for young LBTQ
Weekly Events women, 13-21, interested in
300 Van Buren St. NW. For DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay
more information, visit swim- and lesbian square-dancing leadership development. 5-6:30
ANDROMEDA p.m. SMYAL Youth Center, 410
TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH dcac.org. group features mainstream
through advanced square 7th St. SE. For more informa-
offers free HIV testing and HIV tion, call 202-567-3163, or email
services (by appointment). 9 DC FRONT RUNNERS run- dancing at the National City
ning/walking/social club Christian Church, 5 Thomas catherine.chu@smyal.org.
a.m.-5 p.m. Decatur Center,
1400 Decatur St. NW. To welcomes runners of all ability Circle NW, 7-9:30 p.m. Casual
arrange an appointment, call levels for exercise in a fun and dress. 301-257-0517, dclamb- FRIDAY, February 10
202-291-4707, or visit androm- supportive environment, with dasquares.org.
socializing afterward. Route Join LGBTQ people from
edatransculturalhealth.org.
distance is 3-6 miles. Meet at DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds across the Washington area
7 p.m. at 23rd & P Streets NW. practice. The team is always for a SOCIAL IN THE CITY at

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 19

 Bar Rouge lounge in the Kimpton
Hotel. Free to attend. 7-9 p.m. 1315
16th St. NW. For more information,
visit gogaydc.org.
The DC Center holds a meeting of its
DC LGBTQIA DISABILITY GROUP
to support, educate and empower
people with disabilities. 8-9 p.m.
2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For
more information, contact Andy
Arias, andyarias09@gmail.com.
WOMEN IN THEIR TWENTIES
(AND THIRTIES), a social discus-
sion and activity group for queer
women, meets at The DC Center
on the second and fourth Fridays of
each month. Group social activity to
follow the meeting. 8-9:30 p.m. 2000
14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more
information, visit thedccenter.org.
SATURDAY, February 11
ADVENTURING outdoors group
hikes about 3 easy miles along
Boundary Street/Florida Avenue
from U Street Metro to Union
Market via historic LeDroit Park.
Bring beverages, a snack, $2 trip
fee, lunch money and SmarTrip
card for ride back from NOMA
Metro Station. Meet at 10 a.m. at
the African American Civil War
Memorial, Vermont Avenue & U
Street, NW. For more info, Craig,
202-462-0535. adventuring.org.
Weekly Events
BET MISHPACHAH, founded
by members of the LGBT com-
munity, holds Saturday morning
Shabbat services in the DC Jewish
Community Centers Community
Room, followed by Kiddush lun-
cheon, on the second and fourth
Saturdays of the month. 10 a.m.
1529 16th St. NW. For more infor-
mation, visit betmish.org.
BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP,
including others interested in
Brazilian culture, meets. For
location/time, email braziliangay-
group@yahoo.com.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/
walking/social club welcomes run-
ners of all ability levels for exercise
in a fun and supportive environ-
ment, with socializing afterward.
Route distance will be 3-6 miles.
Walker meet at 9:30 a.m. and run-
ners at 10 a.m. at 23rd & P Streets
NW. For more information, visit
dcfrontrunners.org.
DIGNITYUSA sponsors Mass for
LGBT community, family and
friends. 6:30 p.m., Immanuel
Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary
Road, Alexandria. All welcome. For
more info, visit dignitynova.org.
GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discusses
critical languages and foreign lan-
guages. 7 p.m. Nellies, 900 U St.
20 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY
NW. RSVP preferred. Email bren-
dandarcy@gmail.com.
SUNDAY, February 12
CHRYSALIS arts & culture group
visits the Phillips Collection near
Dupont Circle to see a new exhi-
bition on the prints and posters
of French Impressionist artist
Toulouse-Lautrec. Admission: $12
adults, $10 seniors. Lunch in the
neighborhood to follow. Meet at
noon inside the lobby by the ticket
desk at 1600 21st Street, NW. For
more info, contact Craig, 202-462-
0535, or craighowell1@verizon.net.
Weekly Events
LGBT-inclusive ALL SOULS
MEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH
celebrates Low Mass at 8:30
a.m., High Mass at 11 a.m. 2300
Cathedral Ave. NW. 202-232-4244,
allsoulsdc.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/
walking/social club welcomes run-
ners of all ability levels for exercise
in a fun and supportive environ-
ment, with socializing afterward.
Route will be a distance run of 8, 10
or 12 miles. Meet at 9 a.m. at 23rd
& P Streets NW. For more informa-
tion, visit dcfrontrunners.org.
FRIENDS MEETING OF
WASHINGTON meets for worship,
10:30 a.m., 2111 Florida Ave. NW,
Quaker House Living Room (next
to Meeting House on Decatur
Place), 2nd floor. Special welcome
to lesbians and gays. Handicapped
accessible from Phelps Place gate.
Hearing assistance. quakersdc.org.
HSV-2 SOCIAL AND SUPPORT
GROUP for gay men living in the
DC metro area. This group will be
meeting once a month. For infor-
mation on location and time, visit
H2gether.com.
Join LINCOLN
CONGREGATIONAL TEMPLE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST for
an inclusive, loving and progressive
faith community every Sunday. 11
a.m. 1701 11th Street NW, near R in
Shaw/Logan neighborhood. lincol-
ntemple.org.
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY
CHURCH OF NORTHERN
VIRGINIA services at 11 a.m., led
by Rev. Emma Chattin. Childrens
Sunday School, 11 a.m. 10383
Democracy Lane, Fairfax. 703-691-
0930, mccnova.com.
NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN
CHURCH, inclusive church with
GLBT fellowship, offers gospel wor-
ship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional wor-
ship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas Circle NW.
202-232-0323, nationalcitycc.org.
ST. STEPHEN AND THE
INCARNATION, an interra-
cial, multi-ethnic Christian
Community offers services in
English, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and
in Spanish at 5:15 p.m. 1525 Newton
St. NW. 202-232-0900, saintste-
phensdc.org.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
CHURCH OF SILVER SPRING
invites LGBTQ families and indi-
viduals of all creeds and cultures to
join the church. Services 9:15 and
11:15 a.m. 10309 New Hampshire
Ave. uucss.org.
MONDAY, February 13
THE GAY & LESBIAN ACTIVISTS
ALLIANCE holds its first meeting
under President Guillaume Bagal
and other recently elected officers
to plan strategies for dealing with
the new presidential administra-
tion and Congress. All welcome.
6:30-8 p.m. Whitman-Walker
Conference Room, 1525 14th St.
NW. For more info, contact Rick,
202-328-6278 or email rrosendall@
starpower.net.
Weekly Events
GETEQUAL meets 6:30-8 p.m. at
Quaker House, 2111 Florida Ave.
NW. For more information, email
getequal.wdc@gmail.com.
The DC Center hosts COFFEE
DROP-IN FOR THE SENIOR LGBT
COMMUNITY. 10 a.m.-noon. 2000
14th St. NW. 202-682-2245, thedc-
center.org.
WASHINGTON WETSKINS
WATER POLO TEAM practices 7-9
p.m. Newcomers with at least basic
swimming ability always welcome.
Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van
Buren St. NW. For more informa-
tion, contact Tom, 703-299-0504
or secretary@wetskins.org, or visit
wetskins.org.
TUESDAY, February 14
The DC Center holds a meeting of
its COMING OUT DISCUSSION
GROUP for those navigating issues
associated with coming out and
personal identity. 7-8:30 p.m. 2000
14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more
information, visit thedccenter.org.
The DC Center hosts a meeting
of HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
GROUP FOR GAY AND BI MEN.
6-7 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite
105. For more information, visit
thedccenter.org.
The DC Centers TRANS
SUPPORT GROUP provides a
space to talk for transgender peo-
ple and those who identify outside
of the gender binary. 7-9 p.m. 2000
14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more
information, visit thedccenter.org
Weekly Events
ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly
dinner in Dupont/Logan Circle
area, 6:30 p.m. For more informa-
tion, email afwash@aol.com, or
visit afwashington.net.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
practice session at Takoma Aquatic
Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 300 Van Buren
St. NW. For more information, visit
swimdcac.org.
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds prac-
tice. The team is always looking
for new members. All welcome.
7:30-9:30 p.m. King Greenleaf
Recreation Center, 201 N St. SW.
For more information, visit scan-
dalsrfc.org or dcscandals@gmail.
com.
THE GAY MENS HEALTH
COLLABORATIVE offers free
HIV testing and STI screening
and treatment every Tuesday.
5-6:30 p.m. Rainbow Tuesday
LGBT Clinic, Alexandria Health
Department, 4480 King St. 703-
746-4986 or text 571-214-9617.
james.leslie@inova.org.
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS
LGBT focused meeting every
Tuesday, 7 p.m. St. Georges
Episcopal Church, 915 Oakland
Ave., Arlington, just steps from
Virginia Square Metro. For
more info. call Dick, 703-521-
1999. Handicapped accessible.
Newcomers welcome. liveandletli-
veoa@gmail.com.
WEDNESDAY, February 15
BOOKMEN DC, an informal mens
gay-literature group, discusses
A History of Gay Male Literature
by Gregory Woods. 7:30 p.m. DC
Center, 2000 14th St. NW. All wel-
come. bookmendc.blogspot.com.
THE TOM DAVOREN SOCIAL
BRIDGE CLUB will meet for
Social Bridge. 7:30 p.m. Dignity
Center, 721 8th St., S.E. (across
from Marine Barracks). No partner
needed. Call 301-345-1571 for more
info.
WOMAN TO WOMAN: A
SUPPORT GROUP FOR HIV-
POSITIVE WOMEN WHO LOVE
WOMEN, meets on the third
Wednesday of each month at The
Womens Collective. Light refresh-
ments served. 5:30-7 p.m. 1331
Rhode Island Ave. NE. For more
information, 202-483-7003. l
Submit your community event for
consideration at least 10 days prior
to the Thursday publication you
would like it to appear. Email to cal-
endar@metroweekly.com.
 Scene
Capital Pride Reveal Party at SAX Nightclub - Thursday, Feb. 2
Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

22 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 23
FACINGFEAR Queer, Muslim, an immigrant and female.
Urooj Arshad has every reason to fear the Trump Administration.
Shes not going down without a fight.
Interview by Randy Shulman
Photography by Todd Franson
T
WO DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION I START-
ed having nightmares, says Urooj Arshad.
Literal nightmares. Ive never had that before
and Ive gone through some pretty stressful times
in my life. Her nightmares were often violent in
nature and very specific. One entailed Arshad
being struck for admitting she was Muslim and queer.
I know how messed up this world is, says the 41-year-old,
who immigrated from Pakistan with her family in the early 90s.
But Ive never internalized it subconsciously to the level where
I have no control over my dreams. I have a hard time sleeping at
night, and Ive had nightmares that I never had before. I think
Ive really internalized it in a very very somatic level. Like my
body has internalized it.
I am afraid.
Since President Donald Trump took office, Arshads night-
mares became reality, as a flood of Executive Orders poured
down on the public. The most alarming of these, arguably, is
one instituting a travel ban for seven Muslim countries con-
veniently omitting those where Trump has business interests.
Enacted on Friday, Jan. 27, the ban was immediate, and the
chaos it caused the fear, the resentment, the outrage is
unparalleled in recent history. Those who have argued against
it have done so from a Constitutional standpoint. But from a
cultural standpoint, it serves to only drive deeper the increased
loathing many (not all) of Trumps supporters harbor toward
Muslims in general. The travel ban which the administra-
tion insists is not a ban on Muslims, despite Trumps repeated,
emphatic calling for just that throughout the campaign has
further darkened a constant shroud of dread Muslims living in
America huddle under.
Islamophobia is on the rise and the current president, unlike
his predecessor, has done nothing to temper the minds of those
prone to hatred. With the travel ban, Trump has handed his most
bigoted followers a huge stick and not-so-tacitly encouraged
24 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY
them to poke away at their perceived enemies. And mosques are
easy and open targets.
For her part, Arshad is worried for the safety of her family,
including her 72-year-old mother and her two brothers, one of
whom lives in Canada, where a shooter recently opened fire in a
Quebec City mosque, leaving six dead.
Ive told my mom to not go to the mosque, she says, a
slight yet perceptible tremor in her voice. Ive reiterated to
my brother to not go to the mosque after the recent Quebec
shooting. And while Arshad herself no longer goes to mosques
for religious reasons she abandoned the tenets of Islam years
ago she notes they also serve as a communal gathering place.
For [Muslims] living in this country, mosques are cultural
centers, she says. If theres an event, you go to the mosque. Its
a safe space. To think that doesnt exist anymore....
Arshad works as Associate Director for International Youth
Health and Rights at Advocates for Youth, a global policy
institute for sexual reproductive health. While its not LGBTQ-
specific, part of her job is to work with LGBTQ organizations
around the globe, requiring her to travel to countries such as her
native Pakistan.
When asked if she would venture beyond American borders,
the naturalized U.S. citizen says, Not anytime soon.... I have
no doubt that if I leave the country and come back there will be
additional questions and additional targeting.
Warm, vibrant and thoughtful, with an admitted penchant
for bling, Arshad also volunteers with the Muslim Alliance for
Sexual and Gender Diversity, an organization that sprang out
of The Task Forces 2013 Creating Change Conference, which
works to foster support for the LGBTQ Muslim community.
Their mission is to support, empower and connect LGBTQ
Muslims. We seek to challenge root causes of oppression,
including misogyny and xenophobia. We aim to increase the
acceptance of gender and sexual diversity within Muslim com-
munities, and to promote a progressive understanding of Islam
that is centered on inclusion, justice, and equality.
We have a retreat every year that brings together about one
hundred LGBTQ Muslims and partners, says Arshad, who sits
on the groups 10-person steering committee. Its really about
making that connection. Our community is very isolated and
very traumatized, because they dont find themselves accepted
anywhere. We are really just building an environment where
people can just come and be.
Arshad was deeply heartened that, following the June attacks
on Pulse Nightclub, the Muslim community-at-large rallied to
support their LGBTQ bretheren.
It was very interesting, because suddenly there was an open-
ing within the Muslim civic society, she says. Organizations
said We want to be more public now about supporting you.
Thats been huge.
Shes quick to point out that Trumps travel ban impacts
peaceful refugees who are coming to America to escape their
own nightmares. Theyre fleeing from extremism, too, she
says. Were oriented towards the West we meaning people
who live outside of the West. Theres a way that were just fasci-
nated by it. We want to be here.
Editors Note: At the time of this interview, the Trump
Administrations travel ban was in full effect. Things have changed
since somewhat. While a Washington state federal judge has
lifted the ban on the grounds
of its Constitutionality,
MW: Why did they leave Pakistan?
ARSHAD: Partly they wanted a good life for us. But things were
also getting violent in Karachi a very, very big coastal city
where we lived. There was a turf war going on within some
political parties that became really violent. I found this out very
recently, but apparently my dad had gotten a call, and it was
someone threatening We will kidnap your daughter. Im not
sure exactly why or where the threat was coming from.
MW: Was he political?
ARSHAD: No, so that was the thing I dont understand. We were
completely an apolitical family. You were encouraged to stay
very much apolitical, because being in politics could be really
dangerous at that time. He was like We have to go, weve got
to go. He didnt even tell my mom [about the threat]. I cant
imagine the kind of fear he must have held in his heart. I just
remember we moved very fast. Within two months the flat sold,
we only could bring what we could in our suitcases, two each. So
much of it had to be left behind.
MW: Did you encounter Islamophobia upon arriving here?
ARSHAD: Im very much reminded of that when I talk to my mom.
She has a really tough life here. She has an accent a heavy
accent and people treat her just horribly. They just assume that
because she has an accent she is stupid. Its really heartbreaking
to see your parent go through that. Which is why the current
political reality just hits home so much more, because its not
like things were ever easy.
Islamophobia has always

It hurts to think that

the Ninth Circuit Court of been under the surface.
Appeals is considering the I remember a high school
governments argument to teacher here was like, Can I
overturn the decision. Given
the chaotic nature of the past
an extremist act is call you Paki? in front of the
entire class. Because no one
several weeks, the ban could
be reinstated by the time you
equated to everyone knew how to pronounce my
name, and he wouldnt even
read this article.
else. We are all just make an effort.
MW: How did you respond?
METRO WEEKLY: You immi-
grated here from Pakistan painted as one people. ARSHAD: I just remember
everyone laughed, and I
when you were 17-years- laughed, too, because I had
old. Talk a little about that That is not true for just come over. Of course,
experience. now if someone said that,
UROOJ ARSHAD: My uncle
had sponsored us this was
white people. THE KKK theyd never hear the end of
it. But then, I just wanted to
pre-9/11, but even then that
kind of sponsorship took a
IS AN EXTREMIST GROUP, fit in. I just wanted to be like
everyone else.
long time. My parents were
almost pension age. They
AND NOT EVERY CHRISTIAN MW: When did you start to
realize you might be gay?
had good middle class lives
there, and people were real-
IS ASKED TO BE HELD ARSHAD: In Pakistan, I
remember having questions
ly persuading them not to
go, because they knew how
RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR about girls and not really
knowing what that meant. I
hard it is to start a life over
in America as immigrants.
ACTIONS. went to an all-girls school.
Pakistan is very gender
You basically start from the segregated, so I was dis-
beginning. couraged to have interac-
I remember my dad had a nice desk job in Pakistan with a tion with the opposite gender, anyway. I didnt have a sexual
petrol company. He had lots of friends. My mom was a teacher. interaction with anyone then, but I think always being in close
When they came here, their degrees didnt mean anything. My proximity with women was really interesting, considering I
dad ended up first working in a gas station and cleaning toilets, came out later and realized I had had crushes on some of the
and then drove a cab until he died. He passed a few years after girls in my school.
we immigrated. That was tough. My mom worked in a daycare It was later in my teenage years that I started just shutting
kitchen until she got repetitive stress injury, and ended up going down. I was not appreciating the way gender roles were being
on disability. ascribed to me. Even though I didnt have the language, I knew

26 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY

something was different about me. Even though Im very fem MW: Tell me about your day job.
now I love my bling there was a period in Pakistan I stopped ARSHAD: I work at an organization called Advocates for Youth,
wearing any bling. I only wore white. I tried to present, as much and we do sexual reproductive health rights work. We do it
as I could, a gender neutral perspective. I remember my friends through a policy program, media, cultural change. We talk about
being like, Why are you always wearing white? White is a color issues like HIV/AIDS, and young peoples access to contracep-
of mourning. tion, and access to safe abortions, all of those things, but it also
MW: How did your family react to your gender neutrality? includes LGBT issues. Most recently Ive been working on our
ARSHAD: Everybody was supportive. I dont think they knew international side mostly with LGBT organizations outside of
what was going on. I hid under the guise of studying. the Western world, including Pakistan. So I get to go to Pakistan
MW: When did you finally come out? every year now and work with LGBT activists there, which is
ARSHAD: I came out first to my brother. I was in college in pretty amazing.
Illinois. I was 19. Ive been out to my mother for 20 years. Theyre very supportive of me personally, which I real-
Its still a struggle in a way. ly appreciate. Theyve been
I know she loves me, but checking in with me and
there is this way that our making sure Im safe after
familial structures just work the elections, because some-
differently. one who is out visibly both as
MW: How so? Muslim and queer can come
ARSHAD: Its about the way with its own challenges.
you see family. Its more MW: You also work with an
about your relatives, and LGBTQ organization.
your community, and youre ARSHAD: Its called the
a part of that. Youre not an Muslim Alliance for Sexual
individual in a way that you and Gender Diversity, and
are in the West. The pri- were a steering committee.
orities are different, which Its all volunteers. At this
makes it hard to come out as point, its ten of us all over
queer, because its viewed as the country who identi-
you being selfish. Youre not fy as LGBT and Muslim or
caring about the family. And queer and Muslim. We are
its complicated when youre committed to supporting
living in the West, because our community, and mak-
then suddenly youre a ing sure people are getting
minority within a minority what they need. For exam-
kind of situation. ple, we came out with a
Someone once told me, statement after the Muslim
and this really stuck with ban, and talked about what
me, that when we come out, that meant for us. We have
if were lucky we have a a retreat every year that
lot of community. We have brings together about one
friends. We have loved ones hundred LGBTQ Muslims
that know us for who we and partners. Its really
are. Our parents dont. Especially parents who are not white. about making that connection our communitys very isolat-
My moms not going to go to a PFLAG meeting. Theres been ed, and very traumatized, because they dont find themselves
some conversations about having Pakistani parents meetup, but accepted anywhere. We are really just building an environment
theyre so isolated. I have compassion for her now that I didnt where people can just come and be.
before. But she loves me, she knows who I am. Ive taken her to For a lot of people, especially outside of urban areas but I
London a few times to hang out with my British queer Pakistani think even within urban areas our community members are
friends. Shes totally comfortable and fine. very stressed, especially these days. For example, we have Hijabi
MW: Explain queer to me as it applies to you. queer women. Imagine having to deal with the multiplicity of
ARSHAD: The way I see it is that I am attracted to people what that means. You go to an LGBT space and people dont
of different genders. Ive only had two significant partners, know what to do with you. They think you might be super con-
and both have been trans. My current partner identifies as servative, just because you wear the Hijab, and youre actually
transgender and nonconforming, so they actually dont iden- someone whos queer. Then you go to a Muslim space, and they
tify with either gender. It just allows for a little bit more of a might not know what to do with you because you are queer.
complicatedness around who Im attracted to and my sense Those spaces where they can be their whole selves are so limit-
of who I am in the world. ed. So thats one of the huge projects that we do.
MW: Queer used to be a derogatory term some still feel it is. It We go to conferences like Creating Change and present what
wasnt acceptable, and yet now it is. it means to be LGBT Muslim. We do Friday prayers. Its kind of
ARSHAD: Its like the taking back of an identity. I never experi- like creating an atmosphere where we are pushing our stories
enced it being derogatory. Ive seen it in films. Of course I know out there. One good example is what happened after Orlando.
the history of it. But I definitely see it from a different perspec- We were slammed with media. It was ridiculous how many
tive. stories we wanted to push out there. We wanted to talk about

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 27

Islamophobia and homophobia and transphobia. We wanted
to say were complicated people and Islam is not a monolithic
religion. Its a religion of 1.6 billion people in the world. Its a
very diverse religion. Dont assume that Islam hates [the LGBTQ
community]. We have a complicated relationship to it, but were
not going to have our stories be used against Islam or against
Muslims.
MW: Lets talk about the administrations travel ban.
ARSHAD: The Muslim ban is so problematic. My mom is saying
dont go anywhere. I have to travel for work internationally, and
I actually dont know right now if I can or if should because
I dont know if Ill be able to get back. Im a naturalized citizen,
but Ive been hearing stories about people. One of my friends on
the steering committee, their brother was in detention for over
40 hours. He was born in the U.S. I dont trust the border control.
I think theyre just sort of.... Its just a lot of unknowns right now.
MW: Theyll target any Muslim, basically.
ARSHAD: I think the administration was very smart, because they
were like Were not doing a Muslim registry, but they basically
are by default doing a Muslim registry, and most likely will add
more countries to it.
MW: Are you scared?
ARSHAD: Im constantly scared. In 2015, there was a 67 percent
rise in anti-Muslim bigotry and hate crimes, according to the
FBI. I have two brothers.
My youngest brother, who
Im close to, drives Lyft
in Chicago, and I always
am like, oh my god, what
Its hard to keep going
if someone gets in the car
and starts harassing him for
through your day knowing
being Muslim? He has such
a Muslim name. there is so much hatred.
survived. And she was like, When we were taking the train for
six days we didnt know how bad it would be. When she got to
where she went, her mom was immediately taken away to the
gas chamber. She said, We didnt even get to say goodbye. It
was just something about that story, and knowing that histori-
cally thats how things happen. She talked about Europes com-
placency, how there were railroad tracks everywhere in Europe,
and it was how civil servants, people that you wouldnt think
would be complacent, were. It wasnt until the 1960s that really
people started realizing how horrible it had been.
So I was just bawling, because I partly needed to, because its
hard to keep going through your day knowing there is so much
hatred, and just keep going sometimes. It was basically how
before the concentration camps, it was the hatred that got nor-
malized. That, to me, is whats so scary about this moment: How
much hate is being normalized against Muslims and against peo-
ple who are different, and its okay. Its codified in the highest
office in the U.S.
MW: Its why theyre working so hard to delegitimize the main-
stream media. Once hate becomes the absolute norm, there is no
recourse to fight it.
ARSHAD: Right. I was reading an article about how to survive
an autocracy, and it said believe what [President Trump] says.
Believe him first. Some people were like, Oh, lets see what
happens when he gets in
office. Then these EOs have
come out like hate, hate,
hate, hate, hate. Hes doing
exactly what he said he
was going to do. Remember
how much youre losing
and dont make that be the
normal. I try to remember

That, to me, is whats so

Then its the bigger
things. What happens to
the community? People
are already so traumatized
being LGBT Muslims, and
now how much more can
we have? How much more
can we bear is a constant
question.
MW: Obviously certain ter-
rorist actions have created a
how much ground we lost
last weekend. In just over
the weekend when people
scary about this moment: were detained or deported
back, or waited in detention
How much HATE IS BEING for hours. We lost so much
ground last weekend, and
NORMALIZED AGAINST its continuing.
MW: How do we reclaim that
MUSLIMS. ITS CODIFIED IN ground?
ARSHAD: I think its like all

THE HIGHEST OFFICE

wider umbrella for bigots to
point the blame at the entire
Muslim community. A handful
of people create, in the name of
Islam, a dangerous situation
IN THE U.S.
for 1.6 billion innocent people.
ARSHAD: Yeah. Every time
there is some attack, were like Please dont be a Muslim, please
dont be a Muslim. It hurts to think that an extremist act is
equated to everyone else. We are all just painted as one people,
and we are all painted as extremists or terrorists. That is not true
for white people. The KKK is an extremist group, and not every
Christian is asked to be held responsible for their actions. Theyre
right now in the White House, basically, which is a whole other
situation. In America, youre more likely to be attacked by a white
terrorist group than a Muslim group.
MW: What was your response when you learned of the ban?
ARSHAD: I just cried. It was Holocaust Memorial Day, and I
was listening to this story on NPR about this woman who had
hands on deck. The protests
have been inspiring. The
acting Attorney General, her
few hours of resistance, was
so inspiring. It just makes
me feel like we still have
hope if there is resistance.
MW: What affects you more, someone being anti-LGBTQ or some-
one being Islamophobic?
ARSHAD: I would say right now always the top of my thinking
right now is Islamophobia. Of course anti-LGBT stuff hurts me,
too, but on a daily basis I see more ignorance around Islam than
I do LGBT people. There has been a huge wave of cultural shift
towards LGBT people, but Trump loves pitting the LGBT and
Muslim communities against each other.
I always try to see the intersections, but I think on an every-
day level what Im mostly afraid for is my family. That theyre
okay, that they dont get attacked. Those are the everyday things
that I think about. Because Im mostly not around straight peo-

28 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY

ple in my life. Mostly its all LGBT folks all the time, so Im like in MW: Its actually being organized to occur in conjunction with
my little bubble, so the Islam stuff always sits on the top. Capital Pride in June.
MW: There is a common thought in some circles that all Muslims ARSHAD: Part of me agrees. I feel like you just keep showing up
are inherently anti-LGBTQ. Is that your experience? and keep up the pressure. You want to mobilize. You want to
ARSHAD: Not inherently. Thats what we try to push back on. bring people to D.C. As long as theyre doing it intersectionally,
It depends on who you are. I think that people are thinking as long as they understand the breadth of the experience of
through where theyre at. Ive had a lot of private support, and LGBT people, including Muslim people, including black folks,
now theres more public support. Linda Sarsour, one of the very including trans women of color who have been dying in this
public faces of Muslim Americans, and one of the coordinators of country, and have terrible indicators around life expectancy,
the Womens March, always economic stuff. As long as
talks about LGBT people as its integrated, I think peo-
part of what shes talking
about, and I really appreci- She has a heavy accent ple should show up and
continue to show up. Thats
ate that. So no, I wouldnt say
that Muslims are anti-gay. I and people treat her sort of my first read. I think
that depending on whos
think its complicated, but I organizing, and how theyre
think especially after Pulse
we have a lot of support. We
just horribly. Its really seeing it, of course, I might
have more of a complicated
have more and more people
thinking about new ways to
heartbreaking to see relationship to it.
MW: Given the times, given
understand theology.
MW: How did it feel, the day
your parent go through the fear, given the stress you
clearly feel, there must be
after the inauguration, to see
so many people come together that. Which is why the happiness somewhere. Where
do you find it? What brings

current political reality

for the womens march?
ARSHAD: I was so glad that
theres a record now of the
protests literally trumping
his inauguration, and the
hits home so much
whole chaos that caused,
and the whole alternative
more. ISLAMOPHOBIA
facts thing that emerged,
and how much he went after HAS ALWAYS BEEN
the media. I just love that
that happened, that there UNDER THE SURFACE.
was outrage, that millions of
women mobilized. That was
pretty incredible to see. We need that momentum.
It happened last weekend, too, at the airports. Its really good
to see people being angry, and mobilizing, and plugging into
wherever they need to go. I just hope that it continues, because
were only in week two. This is the thing that I have to remind
myself this is week two out of potentially a four-year adminis-
tration at least. We need the momentum, for sure.
MW: There was a lot of criticism that the march was comprised
primarily of white women. Did you feel represented there despite
that criticism?
ARSHAD: So, I didnt go myself. I didnt think that it was a space
for me, that I needed to be there. I really think that it was a space
for white women to be able to express their anger, and to me that
was like great go for it. I have friends who are feeling that way,
and theyre really mobilizing. Then I heard analysis by Angela
Davis who spoke at the march, as well as she spoke at Busboys
And Poets. Alicia Garza, one of the founders of Black Lives
Matter, also wrote about it. Their analyses really helped me, and
I was like Okay, you know what? I actually get it, and I think its
amazing that all of these women turned out. Yes theyre white
women, but they needed to express their anger, and I hope now
that they will use that to have a cross-intersectional analysis and
will show up for all of the other things that are important, like
the Muslim ban.
MW: Do you think we need an LGBTQ march?
ARSHAD: I read that someone is trying to organize one.
you the comfort you need to
get through this?
ARSHAD: Me and my part-
ner just moved in, and so
were creating a home, and
that gives me happiness.
We painted our walls, and
its beautiful colors. Pink
and like a chartreuse color.
Setting up a home with
them feels really really
amazing. Being around my
friends feels really amazing.
Talking to my mom. I called her today. Im trying to hold on to
as much of normalcy with my life, and I know how hard it is, but
I dont want to give up the everyday things that bring me joy.
We want to get a dog together. I used to have a Poodle. He
died two years ago, and he was such an amazing presence in
my life and I miss him so much, but we want to get a dog, and I
think thats going to bring incredible amounts of joy. Im excited
to have that again. I try to think about the small things. Because
when I think about the bigger picture, it is very overwhelming.
Thats the kind of stuff that I try to remember that brings me joy.
Bling. I love jewelry and bling....
The first week after Trump got inaugurated, I wore this big
sort of shield-looking thing that I got from Mexico City. I was
wearing it as almost like a protection from all of the evilness. I
try to do that too, just bring color and bling in my life, and just
keep going through my days. Im very lucky that my work is very
supportive, so that helps, too. I think if I worked somewhere
where they didnt see the issues, or they didnt see me as some-
one who was struggling, then that would be hard.
I believe this is my lifes work, this kind of intersectional
work around LGBT and Muslim issues, so that gets me up in the
morning. I feel good that Im able to see where I can plug in. l
For more information on Advocates for Youth, visit advocatesfory-
outh.org. For more information on MASGD,
visit muslimalliance.org.

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 29

 Gallery

Essa Neima
Mixed Media on Canvas, Victory - 48x 36

Essa Neima is a Syrian artist. He is an art instructor at University of the District of Columbia and has worked in the art
field for more than ten years between Syria, Dubai. Essa studiedfine arts at DUS, Damascus - Syria.

essaneima@gmail.com essaneima.com

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 31

JASON SHERWOOD
Forward Movement
Caroline, Or Change is bittersweet and beautiful, while I Wanna Fucking Tear You Apart
is acerbically funny By Andr Hereford
O
F BLACK AMERICANS, FREDERICK DOUGLASS
once wrote, [N]o people seem more imperfectly under-
stood. Those who see us every day seem not to know us.
The frustration and melancholy expressed by Douglass are poi-
gnantly voiced in Caroline, Or Change (HHHHH), the brilliant
operatic musical with book and lyrics by Tony Kushner (Angels
in America), and music by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home). Set in
Louisiana in 1963, the story of a black maid who feels unseen
and unknown even to herself is brought vividly to life in direc-
tor Matthew Gardiners production at Round House Theatre.
Leading a terrific cast, the riveting Nova Y. Payton embodies
stoic Caroline Thibodeaux, a divorced mother of four, whose
oldest was just sent off to fight in Vietnam. Toiling daily in
the home of a white Jewish family and tending with motherly
concern for their 8-year old, Noah (Griffin McCahill), Caroline
struggles to support her own kids on her $30-a-week salary.
Nearing forty, she feels ever more burdened by her failures and
only mildly comforted by her family and friends, especially real-
izing that her children are her life and her pride but not all her
joy. Joy has gone missing, swallowed up by more pain than she
can fathom during a time of war, oppression and protest.
That pain pours out in Tesoris soaring theatrical score, tinged
with gospel and 60s soul, and through Carolines manner, an
Stage
obstinate meanness that perplexes the lady of the house, Rose
(Dorea Schmidt). Rose has her own problems trying to connect
to her stepson Noah, whose mother died of cancer just months
before his dad, Stuart (Will Gartshore), married New Yorker Rose
and brought her to live in their voluminous old house. And what
a house it is: set designer Jason Sherwoods work dominates the
stage. A marvelously large and somewhat unsightly contraption,
the house, a busy array of floors and staircases, calls to mind M.C.
Eschers impossible stairs, emphasizing the characters struggle
to find common ground or direction. Watching the set spin can
distract from the emotional moment, but the huge structure
serves a dramatic purpose, and what it lacks in eye appeal is more
than compensated for by expressive lighting and costume design.
The beautiful singing, supported by a live nine-piece orches-
tra, lacks for nothing. From her powerful vocals down to her
tightly constrained posture in her prim, white uniform, Payton
owns Caroline, finding shades of warmth and humor within the
womans shifts from surly to heartbroken. Schmidt is every bit
her dramatic equal as Rose, sincere in her concern for Caroline
but daunted by her maids chilly insistence on treating her as
merely the new Mrs. Gellman. They forge a believably uneasy
relationship that propels the drama forward as tensions mount.
Also daunted trying to decipher Carolines foggy moods is her
FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 33
TERESA WOOD
friend Dotty, played endearingly by Awa Sal Secka, who adds
uplift to the show and is powerfully emotive in both song and
silence. As Carolines willful daughter Emmie, Korinn Walfall
doesnt quite convey the precociousness or period Southern-
ness that befits the character or her trajectory in the story, but
she sings wonderfully.
Fin McCahill does a fantastic job as Noah, perhaps the most
well-drawn character here, inspired by Kushners own expe-
riences as a Jewish kid growing up with an African-American
maid. The story works largely as Noahs lesson in gaining
empathy for those whose troubles are not his own, and this
production persuasively reinforces the sentiment that every
person, regardless of their status or station, deserves some
degree of empathy from the world that surrounds them. For
every Frederick Douglass, or J.F.K., or Oprah out there, surely
a thousand Carolines scrub away at their wash basins, longing
to be seen and heard. Caroline, Or Change artfully and earnestly
calls on us to keep our eyes, ears and hearts open to anyone who
might be struggling quietly for change.
MORGAN GOULDS ACERBICALLY FUNNY I Wanna Fucking
Tear You Apart ( ) lays down its lessons in empathy
with a decidedly more emo effect. Gould wrote and also directs
the Studio Theatre world-premiere production, which packs a
potent message of compassion into a story about a year in the life
of two best friends.
Sam (Nicole Spiezio) and Leo (Tommy Heleringer) a.k.a.
Team FatGay are two writers, just turning thirty and sharing
a two-bedroom apartment way, way uptown in Manhattan.
Friends since their freshman year in college, theyve supported
each other through break-ups and poverty, surviving a tough
city, stagnant careers and layer upon layer of self-doubt by lean-
ing on their shared sense of struggle and sharp-edged humor. It
sounds a lot like Will and Grace, yet it plays a bit more like Jack
and Grace: an adorably self-involved gay man and a talented but
self-destructively insecure straight woman who love and care for
and undermine each other with almost pathological fierceness.
The scene is established with lounge-y lighting and thumping
music lending a warm, festive gay bar atmosphere. The party
kicks off with a Little Monster red carpet fantasy set to the fore-
boding groove of Tear You Apart by She Wants Revenge. Its Theatre, Stage 4, 1501 14th St. NW. Tickets are $20 to $50. Call
a darkly sexy intro for Sam and Leo, and a strong suggestion of
the sensibility and complicity they share as friends. Throughout,
Spiezio and Heleringer joke, spar, lament and dance with a
natural rapport that sells Sam and Leos lived-in friendship, and
stakes all our emotional investment in their mutual well-being.
34 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY
Sam, a big girl who owns her size and expresses her mind
and sexuality freely, registers as the character more in con-
trol here. In a difficult role, Spiezio navigates Sams confusing
emotional turns in a year that sees her find some success as a
writer at exactly the moment she feels her friendship with Leo
is most threatened. Heleringers Leo carries much of the com-
edy, getting off quite a few zingers with a well-honed delivery
that would be right at home on a sitcom. And, whether shuffling
around their apartment in his pa-joggers, or pretend dry-hump-
ing his roommate on the couch, Heleringer brings a physical
abandon to the part thats infectiously fun.
In fact, he and Spiezio both command set designer Luciana
Stecconis appropriately sitcom apartment with such author-
ity that the presence of any interloper is powerfully felt. As is
the case when Leo brings home his work-wife Chloe (Anna
ODonoghue), a perfectly skinny blonde writer, whom Sam
cant help but regard with suspicion. The fact that Chloe who
perhaps is well-meaning, or maybe viciously undermining
cant help condescending to a fat girl is the stake that stirs
the pot. Much to Goulds credit, when it all boils over, there
are more than a few surprises to be had, thanks in large part to
ODonoghues on-target performance as the unwitting third in
this friendship triangle.
Though witty and insightful, the text doesnt feel as
of-the-moment as the production, despite a few preciously
current references (OMG, Beys pregnant with twins!). Sams
insistence that Team FatGay began as the necessary and fruitful
union of two freaks is meant to feel less than progressive; indeed
it does feel distinctly pre-Gaga. Theres also a whiff of stale retro
in the strange case of Sams boyfriend, Mike, whose supposedly
crooked cock comes up a lot, although the African-American
actor who appears briefly in the role oddly isnt listed in the
playbill or on the plays website.
What does feel timely here is Goulds bracing honesty in por-
traying the shadowy corners of friendship, while encouraging
empathy for the sort of person who might be an ally, yet delib-
erately encourages or unintentionally reinforces all their best
friends most destructive traits and habits. l
I Wanna Fucking Tear You Apart runs until Feb. 19 at Studio
202-332-3300, or visit studiotheatre.org.
Caroline, Or Change runs until Feb. 26 at The Round House
Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda. Tickets are $40 to
$85. Call 240-644-1100, or visit roundhousetheatre.org.
TERESA WOOD
Stage

sation without losing any of the poetry.

Sparkle and Joy

Nicely understated as Adam the ancient
servant and completely different as Corin
the friendly shepherd, Jeff Keogh creates
two unassuming characters who never-
As You Like It is a charmingly energetic soul-pleaser paired with the theless bring quietly remarkable color and
Folgers special brand of intimacy By Kate Wingfield context to the whole.
When it comes to the heart and soul

M
of the play will-they, wont-they lovers
AINTAINING ITS OLD WORLD THEATRICAL TROUPE VIBE, THE Rosalind and Orlando the picture grows
Folger Theatres As You Like It (HHHHH) is a charmingly energetic more complicated. Rosalind is another of
soul-pleaser. With its ensemble of gorgeous Millennials anchored by a smat- Shakespeares mind-bendingly indepen-
tering of seasoned actors who, like ageless, hip uncles, fit right in there is a cohe- dent women, this one disguising herself as
sion that is genuinely joyous. a man in order to test her potential mate.
And the sparkle is no accident. Director Gaye Taylor Upchurch makes the most of Grabbing the role by the short and curlies
her casts innately youthful energy, keeping the pace super-lively and the mood high, (much as Rosalind does her men, met-
allowing them to own the play. Complementing everything wonderfully are Heather aphorically), Lindsay Alexandra Carter
Christians inspired, multi-genre musical arrangements and the attractive choreog- is quite believable if one sees her as
raphy of Alexandra Beller. Beautiful singers, pretty movers, talented musicians the a young woman raised in a sycophantic
ever-so-game cast captures it all with ease. Upchurch has it right: If you are going to bower of privilege. Played at fever pitch,
explore the excitable world of young and convoluted love among all manner of courting she is the Boston Brahmin teen (com-
couples, you do well to let them show their wares. plete with affected English accent) caught
Antoinette Robinson is a luminous, knowing Celia, giving her young woman a quiet between a massive crush and an intellect
charisma, some wry humor and a real sense of protectiveness over her dear friend, spinning like a top. She is compelling and
the highly-strung Rosalind. As Touchstone, a version of the court jester, Aaron Krohn memorable, but not altogether sympathet-
delivers some excellent comic timing and inventiveness, while nicely understating his ic. A question also begged is how she ever
personal agenda. could have been raised in the same house-
In smaller roles, Dani Stoller is a hilarious shepherdess Phoebe, while Brian hold as the far more down-to-earth Celia.
Reisman is notable as a gently comical Silvius, who will take Phoebe any way shell have The frenzy that is Rosalind is also
him. Making the most of his hipster look, Will Hayes is a wonderfully comic wrestler somewhat out of calibration with this
and Daven Ralston is visually captivating with her pixie hair and uncompromising Orlando. And he is already something of
stare, both bringing some edgier fun to the goings-on. a challenge, being not the most highly-de-
As for the uncles, Tom Story is a superb Jacques, the world-weary traveler min- veloped of characters. To claim his place
gling with the locals. Bringing an ideal mix of cynicism and existential wonder, Story and be worthy of Rosalind he must
is the rare actor who can make Shakespeare sound like a twenty-first century conver- be imbued with far more than is written.

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 35

TERESA WOOD
Though he has a smiley charisma and certainly looks the part,
Lorenzo Roberts plays him temperately and without irony. If
this makes for a certain yin and yang with Rosalind, it doesnt
generate anywhere near enough frisson to warrant her adora-
tion. Roberts is also not as comfortable with his Shakespeare as
he might be, and without the poetry of the language it is even
harder to get a sense of his love for her. On the other hand,
As You Like It runs to March 5 at Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol St. SE. Tickets are $35 to $75. Call 202-544-7077 or visit folger.edu.
36 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY
Rosalind is so high-octane, perhaps Orlandos energy levels are
beside the point. The Rosalinds of this world do so much of their
living inside their own heads.
Still, a touch of unevenness hardly matters when so many
plates are spinning wonderfully in the air. This is Shakespeare in
the springtime of love delivered with joy, energy and the Folgers
special brand of intimacy. l
NightLife Photography by
Ward Morrison

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 37

 Scene
Superbowl Sunday at Nellies - Sunday, February 5
Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

DrinksDragDJsEtc... GREEN LANTERN TRADE COBALT/30 DEGREES FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Happy Hour, 4-9pm 1410 14th St. NW All You Can Drink Happy Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Ladies Drink Free Power Doors open 5pm Huge Hour $15 Rail and Karaoke, 8pm
Hour, 4-5pm Shirtless Happy Hour: Any drink Domestic, $21 Call &
Thursday, night, hosted by BaNaka &
Kristina Kelly $200 Cash
Thursday, 10-11pm DJs normally served in a cock- Imports, 6-9pm Freaky GREEN LANTERN
February 9 Prize Doors open 10pm,
BacK2bACk tail glass served in a huge
glass for the same price,
Fridays, 10pm $6 Grey
Goose all night Two
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
$5 Smirnoff, all flavors,
21+ $5 Cover or free
NELLIES SPORTS BAR 5-10pm Beer and wine 30-minute open bars all night long Friday
9 1/2 with college ID
Beat the Clock Happy Hour only $4 featuring Grey Goose, Night Videos with VJ Tre,
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), 11-11:30pm and 1-1:30am 9pm-close
drink, 5-9pm Multiple DC EAGLE
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS DJ MadScience
TVs showing movies, Doors open at 8pm Strip
Beer $15 Drag Bingo All male, nude dancers upstairs DJ Keenan Orr NELLIES SPORTS BAR
shows, sports Expanded Down Thursdays Happy
DJ 9pm Cover 21+ downstairs $10 cover DJ Matt Bailer Videos,
craft beer selection Hour Shirtless guys
NUMBER NINE 10pm-close 21+ Dancing Beat the Clock
Music videos featuring drink $2 off all drinks,
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Happy Hour $2 (5-6pm),
DJ Wess 8-10pm Jock or under-
wear gets $2 off all drinks,
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
Friday, DC EAGLE
Doors open at 8pm
$3 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm)
Buckets of Beer $15
COBALT/30 DEGREES 10pm-2am Highwaymen
Happy Hour: Tops Down $6 TNT hosts Hot Jock
SHAWS TAVERN February 10 Happy Hour, 8-10pm $2
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3 off everything Imperial NUMBER NINE
Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3 Contest at 11:30pm
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, 9 1/2 Court of Washington, D.C. Open 5pm Happy Hour:
Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm Prizes valued at over $250
$5 Rails and House Wines Open at 5pm Happy host Club Bar Get Laid: 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
Stonewall Darts After- No Cover 21+
& Half-Priced Pizzas $4 Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, DC (Warehouse Rave) No Cover Friday Night
Party, 6-10pm Locker
Heineken and Coronas, 5-9pm Friday Night ticket prices vary Tickets Piano with Chris, 7:30pm
Room Thursday Nights, FREDDIES BEACH BAR
5pm-close Videos with DJ Sean available via ticketfly.com/
10pm-close $3 Rail Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
McClafferty, 9:30pm event/1395819 DJ Theo
Drinks, 10pm-midnight, $5 Karaoke, 8pm
Expanded craft beer selec- Storm spinning in the Exile,
Red Bull and Frozen Virgin
tion No Cover 10pm-3am 21+
Drinks DJs Sean Morris
and MadScience Best
Package Contest at mid-

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 39

 SHAWS TAVERN ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3 Men of Secrets, 9pm
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, Guest dancers Ladies
$5 Rails and House Wines of Illusion Drag Show
& Half-Priced Pizzas Doors at 9pm, Shows at
Tableside Magic, 8pm 11:30pm and 1:30am
DJ Don T. in Secrets
TOWN Cover 21+
Patio open 6pm DC Bear
Crue Happy Hour, 6-11pm
$3 Rail, $3 Draft, $3 Bud
Bottles Free Pizza, 7pm
Saturday,
No cover before 9:30pm February 11
21+ Drag Show starts
at 10:30pm Hosted by 9 1/2
Lena Lett and featuring Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
Miss Tatianna, Shi- drink, 2-9pm $5 Absolut
Queeta-Lee, Riley Knoxx & Titos, $3 Miller Lite
and BaNaka DJ Wess after 9pm Expanded craft
upstairs, DJs BacK2bACk beer selection No Cover
downstairs following the Music videos featuring
show GoGo Boys after various DJs
11pm Valentines Day
Message Board Send COBALT/30 DEGREES
text messages to that Drag Yourself to Brunch at
special person in the club Level One, 11am-2pm and
Doors open at 10pm 2-4pm Featuring Kristina
For those 21 and over, $12 Kelly and the Ladies of
For those 18-20, $15 Illusion Bottomless
Club: 18+ Patio: 21+ Mimosas and Bloody
Marys Happy Hour:
TRADE Tops Down $6 Top Shelf,
Doors open 5pm Huge Bottoms Up $3 Rail, $3
Happy Hour: Any drink Bud Light, 4-9pm NYC
normally served in a cock- Takes Over DC, 10pm-close
tail glass served in a huge Featuring DJs Mikey
glass for the same price, Mo and Steve Sidewalk
5-10pm Beer and wine Doors open 10pm $5
only $4 Cover 21+

40 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY

DC EAGLE
Happy Hour, $2 off
all drinks, 8-10pm
Highwaymen TNT hosts
Club Bar Distrkt Cs One $5 Bulleit Bourbon Pop
Year Anniversary Party,
10pm-8am, 3rd Floor
Exile Featuring DJs
Mark DeMark and Manny
Lehman with appearances
by Dylan Knight and Rikk
York Tickets available
online at distrktc.com or at
the door
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Drag Queen Broadway
Brunch, 10am-3pm
Starring Freddies 11pm-close upstairs
Broadway Babes Crazy
Hour, 4-7pm Freddies Board Send text
Follies Drag Show, hosted
by Miss Destiny B. Childs,
8-10pm Karaoke,
10pm-close
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5
Bacardi, all flavors, all
night long
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Guest DJs Zing Zang
Bloody Marys, Nellie Beer,
House Rail Drinks and
Mimosas, $4, 11am-5pm
Buckets of Beer, $15
NUMBER NINE
Doors open 2pm Happy
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Men of Secrets, 9pm-4am
DC EAGLE
Doors open at noon
NUMBER NINE
Pop Goes the World with
Monday,
Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, Guest dancers Ladies Scarlets 46th Annual Bake Wes Della Volla at 9:30pm February 13
2-9pm $5 Absolut and of Illusion Drag Show Sale proceeds benefit Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on
with host Ella Fitzgerald the Rainbow History any drink, 2-9pm No 9 1/2
Tarts with DJs BacK2bACk, Doors at 9pm, Shows Project sell those cakes Cover Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
9:30pm-close at 11:30pm and 1:30am and get your frosting on drink, 5-9pm Multiple
DJ Don T. in Ziegfelds Cake Donations: 2-3pm, SHAWS TAVERN TVs showing movies,
SHAWS TAVERN DJ Steve Henderson in Judging Entries: 3-3:30pm, Brunch with Bottomless shows, sports Expanded
Brunch with Bottomless Secrets Cover 21+ Bake Sale Auction: 3:30- Mimosas, 10am-3pm craft beer selection
Mimosas, 10am-3pm 6:30pm No Cover 21+ Happy Hour, 5-7pm $3 No Cover
Happy Hour, 5-7pm $3 Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
$5 Rails and House Wines
Sunday, FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Champagne Brunch
$5 Rails and House Wines
& Half-Priced Pizzas
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: Tops Down $6
& Half-Priced Pizzas February 12 Buffet, 10am-3pm Crazy Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3
Hour, 4-7pm Karaoke, TRADE Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm
TOWN 9 1/2 8pm-1am Doors open 2pm Huge Monday Nights A Drag,
DJ Randy White, Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Happy Hour: Any drink featuring Kristina Kelly
drink, 2-9pm Multiple GREEN LANTERN normally served in a cock- Doors open at 10pm
Valentines Day Message TVs showing movies, Happy Hour, 4-9pm tail glass served in a huge Showtime at 11:30pm
shows, sports Expanded Mamas Trailer Park glass for the same price, $3 Skyy Cocktails, $8 Skyy
messages to that special craft beer selection Karaoke downstairs, 2-10pm Beer and wine and Red Bull $8 Long
person in the club Music No Cover 9:30pm-close only $4 Islands No Cover, 18+
and video by DJ Wess
downstairs Drag Show COBALT/30 DEGREES NELLIES SPORTS BAR ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS DC EAGLE
starts at 10:30pm Hosted Happy Hour: Tops Down $6 Drag Brunch, hosted by All male, nude dancers Doors open at 8pm
by Lena Lett and featuring Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3 Shi-Queeta-Lee, 11am-3pm Decades of Dance DJ Happy Hour, 8-10pm $2
Tatianna, Shi-Queeta-Lee, Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm $20 Brunch Buffet Tim-e in Secrets Doors off everything Endless
Riley Knoxx and BaNaka Homowood Karaoke, House Rail Drinks, Zing 9pm Cover 21+ Happy Hour prices to any-
Cover $12 21+ hosted by Robert Bise, Zang Bloody Marys, Nellie one in a DC Eagle T-Shirt
10pm-close 21+ Beer and Mimosas, $4, Monday Madness: Free
TRADE 11am-close Buckets of Pool All Night and Day
Doors open 2pm Huge Beer, $15 $1 Bud and Bud Light
Happy Hour: Any drink Draughts all night No
normally served in a cock- Cover 21+
tail glass served in a huge
glass for the same price,
2-10pm Beer and wine
only $4
FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 41
 FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour all night long,
Wednesday, NELLIES SPORTS BAR
SmartAss Trivia Night, 8pm
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers
Singles Night Karaoke, Happy Hour: Any drink 4pm-close February 15 and 9pm Prizes include DJ Don T. in Secrets
8pm normally served in a cock- bar tabs and tickets to 9pm Cover 21+
tail glass served in a huge NELLIES SPORTS BAR 9 1/2 shows at the 9:30 Club
GREEN LANTERN glass for the same price, Beat the Clock Happy Hour Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any $15 Buckets of Beer for
Happy Hour all night long
Open Mic Night Karaoke
5-10pm Beer and wine
only $4
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
drink, 5-9pm Multiple
TVs showing movies,
SmartAss Teams only
Bring a new team member
Thursday,
with Kevin, 9:30pm-close Beer $15 Karaoke and shows, sports Expanded and each get a free $10 February 16
Drag Bingo craft beer selection Dinner
JR.S
Showtunes Songs &
Tuesday, NUMBER NINE
No Cover
NUMBER NINE
9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
Singalongs, 9pm-close February 14 Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any COBALT/30 DEGREES Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm Multiple
DJ James $3 Draft Pints, drink, 5-9pm No Cover Happy Hour: Tops Down $6 drink, 5-9pm No Cover TVs showing movies,
8pm-midnight 9 1/2 After 9pm, $3 Absolut, Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3 shows, sports Expanded
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Bulleit & Stella Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm SHAWS TAVERN craft beer selection
NELLIES SPORTS BAR drink, 5-9pm Multiple $4 Stoli and Stoli Flavors Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3 Music videos featuring
Beat the Clock Happy Hour TVs showing movies, SHAWS TAVERN and Miller Lite all night Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, DJ Wess
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), shows, sports Expanded Valentines Dinner at Wednesday Night Karaoke, $5 Rails and House Wines
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of craft beer selection Shaws Tavern Keeping hosted by India Larelle and Half-Priced Pizzas COBALT/30 DEGREES
Beer $15 Texas Holdem No Cover it Fun and Simple! Half- Houston, 10pm No Cover Piano Bar with Jill, down- Happy Hour: Tops Down $6
Poker, 8pm Dart Boards Priced Burgers or Heart- 21+ stairs, 8pm Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3
COBALT/30 DEGREES Shaped Pizzas for $10 $5 Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm
NUMBER NINE DJ Honey Happy Hour: House Wines and $5 Sam FREDDIES BEACH BAR TRADE Stonewall Darts After-
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Tops Down $6 Top Shelf, Adams Crazy Hour, 4-7pm $6 Doors open 5pm Huge Party, 6-10pm Locker
drink, 5-9pm No Cover Bottoms Up $3 Rail, $3 Bud Burgers Drag Bingo Happy Hour: Any drink Room Thursday Nights,
Light, 4-9pm SIN Service TRADE Night, hosted by Ms. normally served in a cock- 10pm-close $3 Rail
SHAWS TAVERN Industry Night, 10pm-close Doors open 5pm Huge Regina Jozet Adams, 8pm tail glass served in a huge Drinks, 10pm-midnight, $5
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3 $1 Rail Drinks all night Happy Hour: Any drink Bingo prizes Karaoke, glass for the same price, Red Bull and Frozen Virgin
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, normally served in a cock- 10pm-1am 5-10pm Beer and wine Drinks DJs Sean Morris
$5 Rails and House Wines FREDDIES BEACH BAR tail glass served in a huge only $4 and MadScience Best
and Half-Priced Pizzas Crazy Hour, 4-7pm glass for the same price, GREEN LANTERN Package Contest at mid-
Trivia with Jeremy, 7:30pm Karaoke, 8pm 5-10pm Beer and wine Happy Hour all night long, night, hosted by BaNaka &
only $4 4pm-close Kristina Kelly $200 Cash
Prize Doors open 10pm,
21+ $5 Cover or free
with college ID

42 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 43
 DC EAGLE NUMBER NINE
Doors open at 8pm Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
Strip Down Thursdays drink, 5-9pm No Cover
Happy Hour Shirtless
guys drink $2 off all SHAWS TAVERN
drinks, 8-10pm Jock or Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3
underwear gets $2 off all Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
drinks, 10pm-2am No $5 Rails and House Wines
Cover 21+ & Half-Priced Pizzas $4
Heineken and Coronas,
FREDDIES BEACH BAR 5pm-close
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
GREEN LANTERN Happy Hour: Any drink
Happy Hour, 4-9pm normally served in a cock-
Ladies Drink Free Power tail glass served in a huge
Hour, 4-5pm Shirtless glass for the same price,
Thursday, 10-11pm DJs 5-10pm Beer and wine
BacK2bACk only $4

NELLIES SPORTS BAR ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS

Beat the Clock Happy Hour All male, nude dancers
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), DJ 9pm Cover 21+ l
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
Beer $15 Drag Bingo

44 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY

Scene
JR.s - Saturday, January 28
Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY 45

 LastWord.
People say the queerest things

As LGBT people, we know how important coming out is, but I would argue that our
coming out has never been more important
than it is right now.

CYNTHIA NIXON, speaking at a rally at Stonewall Inn in New York City, in a speech slamming the Trump
administration. We need to come out not just as queer, but as people who know all too well what it feels like to be put
in a box that says other, less than, easy target if youre looking for someone to bully, harass, discriminate against,
demonise, beat up, even kill, she continued.

If it was a secret, if it was

one of the worst-kept secrets Ive ever known.
South Carolina State Rep. JASON ELLIOTT, the states first ever openly gay lawmaker, to The Post and Courier.
Elliotts defeated opponent, Wendy Nanney, had claimed that Elliotts sexuality wasnt an issue on the campaign trail
because he hadnt told anyone, something he refutes.

Ive learned a lot

since that show.

KATIE COURIC, speaking with TheWrap. Couric is referencing her 2014 interview with Carmen Carrera and Laverne
Cox, where Couric asked Carrera about her private parts. I tried to have an openness to learning with a desire to ask
direct questions. It was a balancing act between trying to be direct and ask questions people at home would ask,
but not be insensitive, she said.

Im super proud of him.

ANNETTE BENING, speaking with Britains The Observer about her transgender son Stephen Ira.
I leave it to him to say what he wants about his life, she added.

Even medical professionals who know about binding

arent really sure how to assess it clinically.
SARAH PEITZMEIER, a researcher on Boston Universitys Binding Health Project, which studied the health effects of
binding on transgender people. The study found that the most common effects of binding included pain, overheating
and shortness of breath. We want medical professionals to support people who bind in making decisions
to maximise their physical and mental health, Peitzmeier added.

46 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 METROWEEKLY