APRIL 01, 2016 VOLUME 47 ISSUE 14 • AMERICA’S GAY NEWS SOURCE • WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

Protests, travel bans discrimination. “Georgia is a welcoming state fi lled emerge after rise of with warm, friendly and loving people. anti-LGBT bills Our cities and countryside are populated with people who worship God in a myriad of ways and in very diverse settings,” said By CHRIS JOHNSON Deal during a press conference in Atlanta. [email protected] “Our people work side-by-side without regard to the color of our skin, or the A national backlash emerged this week religion we adhere to. We are working to after several states passed “religious make life better for our families and our freedom” and other bills that enable communities. That is the character of businesses and schools to discriminate Georgia. I intend to do my part to keep against LGBT people. it that way.” Lawsuits, boycotts and travel bans Georgia lawmakers had approved have emerged following passage of such House Bill 757 that would have allowed laws and may have helped persuade at faith-based organizations to deny least one governor to veto a measure. In services “that violate such faith-based Georgia, Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday organization’s sincerely held religious vetoed a religious freedom bill that critics A new lawsuit has been fi led against the anti-LGBT law in North Carolina. contend would have allowed anti-LGBT CONTINUES ON PAGE 13 SCREEN CAPTURE COURTESY OF WRAL

Flier reveals 2009 voyeurism and aimed at discrediting his campaign to become Baltimore’s fi rst out gay member of the City Council. arrest of gay Council candidate Cross is one of seven candidates competing in the city’s April 26 Democratic primary for the 12th District By LOU CHIBBARO JR. Council seat being vacated by longtime incumbent [email protected] Carl Stokes, who is running for mayor. D.C. Superior Court records show that in September A gay attorney and civic activist running for a seat on the 2009 Cross pled guilty as part of a plea bargain Baltimore City Council says he’s being targeted by fl iers agreement with prosecutors to a misdemeanor mailed to residents of his district that mischaracterize charge of voyeurism. The plea came after he admitted the circumstances surrounding his 2009 arrest in D.C. he clandestinely recorded video of a partially nude on a misdemeanor charge of voyeurism. man changing his clothes in the locker room of the Kelly Cross, 38, told the Washington Blade he Washington Sports Club gym at 738 7th St., N.W. KELLY CROSS pled guilty to a charge of voyeurism in D.C. believes the anonymous fl iers, which falsely describe in 2009. him as a “convicted sex off ender,” are homophobic CONTINUES ON PAGE 06 PHOTO COURTESY OF CROSS 02 • APRIL 01, 2016 WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

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04 • APRIL 01, 2016 LOCAL NEWS

Department will be vigilant in making sure all insurers comply with the law.” Stewart announced the new regulation nearly three years after Gov. Jack Markell signed a law that bans discrimination in Delaware based on gender identity and expression. “Equality Delaware applauds this life-saving action by the Delaware Department of Insurance,” said Lisa Goodman, president of Equality Delaware, a statewide LGBT advocacy group, in a statement. “Excluding coverage for medically necessary care for transgender individuals remains one of the most frequent examples of anti-LGBT discrimination.” The Maryland Insurance Administration issued a bulletin last month that said insurance plans sold in the state must cover trans-specifi c care. Then-D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray in 2014 announced health insurance companies doing business in the nation’s capital must provide full coverage of sex-reassignment surgery and other treatments that allow trans people to change their gender. MICHAEL K. LAVERS U.S. Senate candidate with lesbian daughter opposes marriage

A Republican who is seeking to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) last week said he opposes marriage rights for same-sex couples, even though he has a lesbian daughter. Gay comedian LESLIE JORDAN will perform during Pride weekend in D.C. “I have a lesbian daughter,” said Richard Douglas during a debate on WBFF in PHOTO COURTESY OF JORDAN Baltimore, according to the Washington Post. “I love my daughter, I want no harm to come to her, but our traditions matter and tolerance is a two-way street.” The Washington Post reported that Douglas said he “didn’t celebrate” the extension Leslie Jordan to perform, of marriage rights for same-sex couples in Maryland in 2012. “I didn’t agree with the result,” he said, according to the Washington Post. serve as Pride grand marshal Douglas is running against Chrysovalantis Kefalas, state Del. Kathy Szeliga (R-Baltimore and Harford Counties) and Anthony Seda in the April 26 Republican primary. The Washington Post reported that Kefalas, who is gay and former Maryland Gov. Emmy Award-winning actor, playwright and activist Leslie Jordan will perform Bob Ehrlich’s legal counsel, said in response to Douglas’ comments that marriage rights a D.C. show, then serve as a grand marshal of the 2016 Capital Pride Parade in for same-sex couples is “an issue of individual liberty, equality and dignity.” June. “This was a divisive issue in the past,” said Szeliga, according to the Washington Post. Jordan’s show, presented by the Washington Blade, is slated for Friday, June “But it’s defi nitely been settled. What Marylanders care about now are taxes, jobs and 10 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at washingtonblade.com/leslie. the economy.” On Saturday, June 10, he will serve as a grand marshal of the Pride parade, Larry Jacobs, chair of the Equality Maryland board of directors, criticized Douglas. which kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Jordan is also scheduled to attend the “Crack of “I feel for his daughter,” Jacobs told the Blade. “While I agree that traditions matter, Noon” Pride Brunch at noon that day. Those tickets will be released in early April. it is sad that he puts them ahead of the needs of his own family. If he were my father, I He is also scheduled to appear at Team DC’s Nationals Night OUT on Tuesday, would disown him. So should the voters of Maryland.” June 14. MICHAEL K. LAVERS Jordan is best known for his Emmy-winning role on “Will & Grace,” as well as his role in Sordid Lives, the fi lm and the series, among many others. In addition, he also has a long history of LGBT activism. His volunteer work goes back to the Crenshaw named interim head of Alston Foundation early days of the AIDS crisis, when he helped with AIDS Project Los Angeles, and a regional food delivery program. The Wanda Alston Foundation, which provides housing-related services for homeless “I’ve seen a great deal of pain, and I’ve seen a great deal of progress. The LGBT youth in D.C., announced last week that it has named veteran LGBT rights advocate desire to celebrate is inherent, and for me to be a grand marshal in the nation’s June Crenshaw as its interim executive director. capital for Pride moves me greatly,” Jordan said in a statement. The announcement says Crenshaw will replace Kenneth Pettigrew, the foundation’s “We are thrilled and honored to have Leslie Jordan as one of this year’s Parade executive director for the past two years, following Pettigrew’s decision to take a new grand marshals,” said Ryan Bos, executive director of the Capital Pride Alliance. job with the D.C. Department of Health’s HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis “His tremendous talent as both a writer and actor is equaled only by his energy, Administration, known as HAHSTA. commitment, and ability to make people laugh.” The announcement says the foundation has begun a search for a permanent For more information, visit capitalpride.org or washingtonblade.com/leslie. executive director. Crenshaw is scheduled to begin as interim director on April 1. STAFF REPORTS The Wanda Alston Foundation, among other things, operates the Wanda Alston House for homeless LGBT youth. The foundation and house were named in honor of the late lesbian and women’s rights activist and mayoral aide Wanda Alston. “As a result of Ken’s leadership, the Wanda Alston foundation is in a great position to expand and grow,” said Chris Hartmann, president of the foundation’s board. “We are Del. bans trans health insurance bias honored to have June join us as we go through a period of transition,” he said. The statement released by the foundation notes that Crenshaw has a long history of Delaware last week became the 15th state to ban insurance companies from volunteer leadership in the D.C.-area LGBT community, including her role as a member discriminating against transgender policyholders. of the Advisory Board of the D.C. Mayor’s Offi ce of LGBT Aff airs. State Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart on Wednesday released the She has also served as a member and as chair of the board of Whitman-Walker bulletin that announced the new policy. It prohibits “the denial, cancellation, termination, Health; as chair of the board of Rainbow Response Coalition, which advocates on behalf limitation, refusal to issue or renew, or restriction, of insurance coverage or benefi ts of LGBT domestic violence victims; and currently serves on the Board of Governors of thereunder because of a person’s gender identity or transgender status, or because the the Human Rights Campaign. person is undergoing gender transition.” It couldn’t immediately be determined whether Crenshaw would become a candidate “All Delawareans should have access to quality health care, regardless of their for the permanent executive director’s position. gender identity,” said Stewart in a press release on the state’s website. “The Insurance LOU CHIBBARO JR. WASHINGTONBLADE.COM APRIL 01, 2016 • 05 WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

06 • APRIL 01, 2016 LOCAL NEWS Baltimore candidate says he’s victim of ‘gay baiting’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 A Superior Court judge on Oct. 23, “But it seemed like it was going to be too it the individual or organization behind it 2010 sentenced Cross to 180 days, which much money and too little upside,” he said. must register with the Board of Elections. Cross has said the man in question he suspended in full, three years of “Especially when all they’re saying to you is Expenditures less than $5,000 do not posted an ad on Craigslist expressing supervised probation, and a $50 fi ne. pay this fi ne and take probation and we’ll require registration but the fl iers must interest in meeting another man for a One of at least two versions of the leave you alone. It was just like OK, fi ne, include the “authority” line identifying sexual encounter at the gym on Aug. 19, anonymous fl ier disclosing Cross’s leave me alone. This whole thing is going to the person or group behind it, he said. 2009, the day he recorded the man. Cross 2009 arrest includes links to two go away,” he said. “But it hasn’t.” Failure to do so would subject the party and others familiar with the gym say it online news articles that report on the Since moving to Baltimore more than responsible for the fl ier to a $500 fi ne, was notorious at the time as a cruising recommendation of a D.C. Bar disciplinary fi ve years ago, Cross has started a new according to Demarinis. place for gay men. committee that investigated Cross’s arrest career as a legal technical consultant, he Maryland State Del. Mary Washington But prosecutors said the man — and guilty plea for possible violations of said. He has also worked as a volunteer (D-Baltimore City), whose district partially himself an attorney, former Boston police the “standards governing the practice of civic activist. He is a former board member overlaps the 12th City Council district, offi cer and former prosecutor with the law in the District of Columbia.” of the Charles Village Civic Association said she’s troubled over the anonymous D.C. Offi ce of the Attorney General — In a 47-page report released in May and currently serves as president of the fl iers attacking Cross. Washington is the claimed he didn’t know Cross and was 2015, a Hearing Committee of the D.C. Old Goucher Community Association, only out LGBT African-American member unaware that he was being recorded as Court of Appeals Board on Professional according to his campaign website. of the Maryland Legislature. he disrobed in the locker room. Responsibility found that Cross’s actions He said he has a suspicion of who She said she has decided not to endorse Police charging documents also say related to his arrest and guilty plea might be responsible for the anonymous candidates for mayor or City Council, but that the man accused Cross of entering violated at least two standards required fl iers attacking him, but he doesn’t want noted that she is aware of what she called a bathroom stall at the gym next to the for lawyers pertaining to “criminal acts to identify the suspected source of the Cross’s strong record of advocacy for the stall the man was in and placing a small refl ecting adversely on honesty, fi tness, fl iers at this time. Cross also said he community through his civic activism. toiletry bag on the fl oor between the two or trustworthiness.” has begun the process of fi ling a formal “We have moved so far in our state” stalls. Seconds later, the man told police, The committee recommended that complaint against the person he suspects on the LGBT rights front, she told the he noticed a camera lens inside a hole cut Cross be suspended from practicing law of creating the fl ier, but he declined to Blade. “And to use these homophobic out of the side of the small bag that was for three years and “required to prove elaborate. scare tactics to dissuade people from pointed up at him, leading him to believe his fi tness to practice law as a condition Jared Demarinis, director of candidacy electing the fi rst out City Council Cross was attempting to photograph him for reinstatement.” However, the full and fi nance for the Maryland State Board person in Baltimore City would be really or record video of him while undressed Board of Professional Responsibility and of Elections, said the fl ier is in violation unfortunate,” she said. in the stall. the Court of Appeals, which must ratify of the state’s campaign fi nance reporting “People should be assessed on their According to the charging documents, or make changes to the committee’s law, which requires all campaign ads or willingness or their value and what they the man grabbed the bag out of Cross’s recommendations, have yet to act on the literature distributed to voters to have can do in the offi ce and their vision for hand, allegedly prompting Cross to leave recommendations. an “authority line,” which identifi es the the offi ce,” she added. “I know Kelly has a his own stall, force open the door to the Meanwhile, Cross told the Blade that organization or individual who creates great track record of working hard in the stall where the man was sitting, and start he now feels his initial decision to accept and distributes such a fl ier. community. For his community I know he a struggle to retrieve the bag and camera the off er to plead guilty may have been He said if the sender of the fl ier spent would do a great job advocating as the from the man. a mistake. He said the decision came $5,000 or more to create and distribute City Council person.” “As a result of the suspect grabbing the at a time when police and prosecutors complainant, the complainant suff ered a exerted “tremendous pressure” on him bruised arm and forearm,” a police arrest to plead guilty to the single charge of affi davit says. Police and prosecutors voyeurism. He noted that police raided cited the man’s bruised arm as grounds his and his husband’s apartment in McAuliff e vetoes ‘religious freedom’ bill for also charging Cross with simple Silver Spring, Md., shortly after his arrest assault. That charge was later dropped as and confi scated all of his electronic Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliff e on part of the plea bargain agreement. equipment, including computers, laptops Wednesday vetoed a “religious Cross denies he ever entered the and cell phone. freedom” bill that critics said man’s stall. He calls the assertion that he A short time later, police informed the would have allowed anti-LGBT struggled to retrieve the bag “a complete D.C. law fi rm where he worked at the discrimination. lie,” and says he placed the bag near the time that if Cross did not plead guilty they McAuliff e said in a statement that man between the two stalls because the would place a “freeze” on all of the fi rm’s Senate Bill 41 is “nothing more than man appeared to be masturbating inside computers while they conducted forensic an attempt to stigmatize.” the stall and appeared to be interested in tests on them to determine whether “This legislation is also bad for a possible sexual encounter with him. Cross had stored improper videos on business and creates roadblocks The man, who currently practices law the computers. Nothing improper or as we try to build the new Virginia in Springfi eld, Mass., did not respond to illegal was ever found on any of Cross’s economy,” he said. “Businesses and a call from the Blade seeking comment. computers or electronic devices searched job creators do not want to locate At the time of his guilty plea, Cross’s by police, Cross’s lawyer stated in a court or do business in states that appear attorney fi led a pre-sentencing document. more concerned with demonizing Virginia Gov. TERRY MCAULIFFE memorandum asserting that Cross Cross said his attorney advised him people than with creating a strong WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY LEE WHITMAN realized he mistakenly thought the man not to make an issue of the Craigslist business climate.” was consenting to a fl irtation between posting by the man at the gym because it “Legislation that immunizes the the two and that his decision to briefl y would be hard to prove in court. Among discriminatory actions of certain people and institutions at the expense of same- record video of the man changing in the other things, Cross said that police sex couples would damage Virginia’s reputation for commonsense, pro-business locker room was a mistake. “wiped clean” the hard drives on all of his government,” added McAuliff e. “We need only look at the damage these types of Court records show that police viewed computers after they confi scated them, laws are doing in other states to understand the harm this bill could bring to our the video taken on Cross’s camera and removing his copy of the Craigslist profi le Commonwealth and its economy.” observed several seconds of video of of the person he believed to be the man State Sen. Charles Carrico (R-Galax) introduced SB 41 that received fi nal the man changing in the locker room but he recorded at the gym. approval earlier this month. there were no video images found on the “In retrospect I should have done that MICHAEL K. LAVERS camera of him in the bathroom stall. probably — fought harder,” Cross said. WASHINGTONBLADE.COM APRIL 01, 2016 • 07

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08 • APRIL 01, 2016 NATIONAL NEWS

Lawmakers in House Speaker PAUL RYAN’s hometown have approved a nondiscrimination ordinance. WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

Ryan’s hometown approves pro-trans ordinance TED CRUZ has accepted anti-LGBT recommendations from his religious liberty council. JANESVILLE, Wis. — Lawmakers in the hometown of House Speaker Paul Ryan PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER HALLORAN; COURTESY OF BIGSTOCK (R-Wis.) have approved a nondiscrimination ordinance that includes gender identity. Media reports indicate that members of the Janesville City Council approved the measure — which would allow people to use public restrooms that are Cruz takes cues from consistent with their gender identity — by a 6-1 margin. “The Janesville Council members did the right thing by passing protections that ensure none of their constituents can be denied a job or refused services because of who they are,” said Freedom for All Americans Executive Director ‘religious liberty’ council Matt McTighe in a statement. Wisconsin’s statewide nondiscrimination law includes sexual orientation, but Group calls for victories, preserving the Texas Ten not gender identity. A bill that would have banned trans children from using Commandments monument, the words school facilities consistent with their gender identity was before state lawmakers rescinding Obama exec ‘under God’ in the Pledge of Allegiance and during their 2016 legislative session. They adjourned without considering it. order against bias the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial.” Cruz never indicates the recommendations are now his Justice Dept. issues trans prisoner guidance By CHRIS JOHNSON own campaign positions, but that [email protected] understanding is implicit by virtue of his WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department has announced that correctional publicly accepting them on his website. In facilities must consider an inmate’s gender identity before placing them in U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was busy the context of the Republican primary, the custody. this week fending off accusations from term “religious freedom” is seen as code The new standard, which is under the Prison Rape Elimination Act, was the National Enquirer that he had fi ve for enabling anti-LGBT discrimination. published on March 24. extramarital aff airs, but that hasn’t stopped The Republican presidential “Being transgender is a known risk factor for being sexually victimized in the Republican presidential hopeful from candidate has already pledged to push confi nement settings,” it reads. “The standard, therefore, requires that housing accepting recommendations from his for passage of the First Amendment and programming assignments be made ‘on a case-by-case-basis.’ Any written “religious liberty” council that would Defense Act during the fi rst 100 days policy or actual practice that assigns transgender or intersex inmates to gender- undermine LGBT rights. of his administration and to direct the specifi c facilities, housing units or programs based solely on their external The council, announced last month by U.S. Justice Department to investigate genital anatomy violates the standard.” Cruz, among other things recommended claims of violations of religious liberty. National Center for Transgender Equality Executive Director Mara Keisling in as part of its 15 initial actions an executive As a U.S. senator, Cruz has introduced a press release said the new guidance “states what should be obvious, except order preventing discrimination against a constitutional amendment that would almost all our state and local governments are getting it wrong.” opponents of same-sex marriage; passage reverse the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision of the First Amendment Defense Act, in favor of same-sex marriage. a “religious freedom” bill seen to As the Blade reported last month, Cruz’s LGBT Israelis from Ethiopia to visit U.S. enable anti-LGBT discrimination; and “religious liberty” council consists of a who’s rescinding President Obama’s executive who of anti-LGBT advocates, including the SAN FRANCISCO — A group of LGBT Israelis from Ethiopia are scheduled to order prohibiting anti-LGBT workplace Heritage Foundation’s Ryan Anderson; the travel to the U.S. next month. discrimination among federal contractors. Bentham brothers; Bishop Harry Jackson, A Wider Bridge, which describes itself as an “LGBTQ advocacy group building Additionally, the council recommends senior pastor of the Maryland-based Hope connections between the Israeli and North American LGBTQ communities, that federal agencies not interpret Christian Church and leading opponent on March 29 announced that members of Kehila Lahatavit Ethiopit or LGBT protections against gender discrimination of the same-sex marriage law in D.C.; and Ethiopian Community will begin their visit to the U.S. in San Francisco on April under current law to prohibit Tony Perkins, president of the anti-LGBT 17. They are expected to visit D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago and New York before discrimination on the basis of sexual Family Research Council. returning to Israel. orientation and gender identity. “Our constitutional liberties should not “KALA is an extraordinary group of LGBTQ Ethiopian Israelis that is increasing “During this Holy Week, as Christians be subject to the whims of the current its eff orts to address the challenges they face, including discrimination, a relative prepare to celebrate spiritual freedom in administration,” Cruz said. “Whether Hobby lack of upward socio-economic mobility and the traditional attitudes of their Christ, we remember also that religious Lobby or the Little Sisters of the Poor, own families and communities,” said A Wider Bridge Executive Director Arthur liberty is the fi rst American freedom,” people of faith should not be made to bow Slepian in a press release, referring to Kehila Lahatavit Ethiopit. Cruz said. “I thank this learned and down at the altar of political correctness. The trip is scheduled to take place less than three months after protesters committed group of leaders for their wise As president, I have pledged on my fi rst forced the cancellation of A Wider Bridge reception at the National LGBTQ Task recommendations, and as president I will day in offi ce to rescind every single one Force’s Creating Change Conference in Chicago. be proud to work with them to protect of President Obama’s unconstitutional Sarah Kala-Meir and Tom Canning of the Jerusalem Open House for Pride and our religious liberty. Defending religious executive actions, and to direct every Tolerance, an Israeli LGBT advocacy group, were scheduled to speak. liberty has been a lifelong passion, and federal agency to respect and protect the I’ve been blessed to help win national religious liberty of every American.” WASHINGTONBLADE.COM APRIL 01, 2016 • 09

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10 • APRIL 01, 2016 NATIONAL NEWS

La. guv to rescind Jindal’s ‘religious freedom’ order

In the aftermath of the Georgia governor vetoing a “religious freedom” bill seen to enable anti-LGBT HILLARY CLINTON urged the Senate to move forward with Merrick Garland’s nomination. discrimination, Louisiana Gov. John Bel WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY DAMIEN SALAS Edwards has announced he’ll rescind an executive order in his state intended to allow anti-LGBT bias in the name of Clinton cites marriage ruling, urges action on Garland “religious liberty.” As reported by Deadline Hollywood, Urging the U.S. Senate to move forward with the nomination administration and what kind of nominees a President Edwards, a Democrat, intends to undo of Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court, Hillary Clinton Trump would appoint to the Supreme Court as well as for the executive order signed by former invoked the ruling in favor of same-sex marriage and the U.S. attorney general. Republican presidential candidate and story of the plaintiff who made it possible as evidence for “Now every day, another Republican bemoans the rise of former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal in why fi lling the post is important. Donald Trump,” Clinton said. “They say a Trump nomination addition to issuing a new executive order The Democratic presidential candidate made the remarks will set their party back decades. I agree. It will set the barring anti-LGBT discrimination in state Monday at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, slightly Republican Party back if Donald Trump is their standard- employment. more than a week before the state’s primary on April 5. bearer.” “Gov. Edwards will issue the “If we’re serious about fi ghting for progressive causes, we Clinton urged attendees to “keep these larger issues in executive order, but it is in the drafting need to focus on the court: Who sits on it, how we choose mind when you go to the polls on April 5,” even though it stage,” Edwards spokesperson Shauna them, and how much we let politics — partisan politics — won’t be Trump against her on the ballot at that time, but her Sanford is quoted as saying. “As far dominate that process,” Clinton said. rival for the Democratic nomination Sen. Bernard Sanders as Jindal’s religious liberty order, the Chiding Senate Republicans, especially Senate Judiciary (I-Vt.). governor intends to rescind it in the near Chair Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), for refusing to allow a hearing Obergefell, who’s endorsed Clinton for president, told the future.” for Garland, Clinton accused the GOP of obstructionism and Washington Blade he’s “humbled” Clinton referenced him The Washington Blade confi rmed denying the will of the people. during the speech and said he shares the view the Senate with Edwards’ offi ce he intends to undo “We chose a president,” Clinton said. “We chose him should move forward with the Garland nomination. the “religious freedom” executive order. twice. And now Republicans in the Senate are acting like our “Secretary Clinton makes a strong case for why a Republican The governor had already announced votes didn’t count, and that President Obama is not still our president would take our country backward instead of he intends to sign an LGBT non- nation’s leader. And I’ll tell you, those are not high-minded forward, and yes, I am concerned about a conservative court discrimination order after his upset win principles – they are low-minded politics. And today, I’m overturning Obergefell v. Hodges and stripping away our in the November election. Sanford told adding my voice to the chorus asking Sen. Grassley to step right to marry the person we love,” Obergefell said. “We are the Blade she doesn’t have an exact time up and do his job.” all Americans, and we deserve a Supreme Court that protects for when the changes would be handed Clinton interlaced her speech with references to the and affi rms our rights. I’m humbled that Secretary Clinton down. milestone Supreme Court ruling last year on same-sex talked about my husband John and me in this speech, and I Jindal signed the order after legislation marriage, saying the court has shaped “whether you can trust her to fi ght not just for the LGBTQ community, but for that would have allowed anti-LGBT marry the person you love.” The candidate identifi ed the all Americans.” discrimination in Louisiana in the marriage ruling as one of the court’s “high-profi le decisions” Announced by President Obama earlier this month as name of “religious freedom” failed in in recent years. his choice to replace the late U.S. Associate Justice Antonin committee. Amid consternation among But Clinton also went into detail about the story of Jim Scalia on the Supreme Court, Garland is considered a LGBT advocates and businesses, the Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the 2016 Obergefell v. Hodges moderate choice because of his record as a judge on the U.S. American Civil Liberties Union fi led a decision, whom she said endured “a bitter, painful blow” Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The Washington Blade lawsuit challenging the order, which when the state of Ohio told him it wouldn’t recognize his discovered four cases in which Garland joined rulings against remains pending in court. marriage on his spouse’s death certifi cate. LGBT parties, although LGBT legal advocates who reviewed Matthew Patterson, managing director As his partner of 20 years John Arthur was battling Lou the rulings said they didn’t demonstrate any anti-gay bias. for Equality Louisiana, said Edwards’ Gehrig’s disease, the couple sought to wed, but were unable Jon Davidson, legal director for the LGBT legal group decision to undo Jindal’s executive order to do so in their home state of Ohio because same-sex Lambda Legal, issued a statement on Tuesday saying his isn’t a surprise given Bel Edwards in May marriage wasn’t legal there at the time. The couple fl ew in organization’s analysis of the 359 opinions Garland authored 2015 spoke out against the rejected a specially equipped jet to accommodate Arthur’s condition and co-authored is complete and the time has come for a “religious freedom” legislation in from Ohio to Maryland and wed on the BWI Airport tarmac hearing so the nominee can answer questions about his committee. before returning home. The couple challenged Ohio’s ban on judicial philosophy. “Rescinding the order is the right recognition of their marriage in court, but Arthur died before “A critical part of our democracy has been sabotaged by choice,” Patterson said. “To the extent that the Supreme Court ruled in their favor and established the stubborn antics of some Senate leadership and majority it did anything (and it’s not clear whether marriage equality nationwide. members of the Senate Judiciary Committee,” Davidson said. it actually had any actual force), it was “That decision is the latest reminder of what the court can “Partisan politics has been prioritized over this process, and discriminatory and bad policy. The ACLU do when it stands for equality, or against it,” Clinton said. ultimately the public is left lacking insight into Judge Garland’s fi led a lawsuit shortly after the order was “When it makes America a fairer place, or rolls back the ideology. A hearing is needed, not in November, but now. issued, which is actually still pending in progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve. It depends on Senate leadership must do their jobs, not when convenient, court; by far the best (and cheapest) way what the court decides, and it depends on who’s deciding.” but now.” to resolve that is to rescind the order and Clinton also took the opportunity to talk about a Trump CHRIS JOHNSON render it moot.” CHRIS JOHNSON Start / FINISH

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM APRIL 01, 2016 • 11

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12 • APRIL 01, 2016 INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Report: Saudi authorities seek death penalty for coming out

A published report indicates that people who come out online in Saudi Arabia could face the death penalty. Okaz, a Saudi newspaper, reported on Saturday that prosecutors in the city of Jiddah have proposed the Argentina joins global penalty in response to dozens of cases they have prosecuted over the last six months. These include 35 people LGBT rights initiative who received prison sentences for sodomy. Okaz reported that Jiddah authorities have prosecuted 50 cases in which men allegedly dressed as women. A doctor who lives in the port city on the Red Sea has been released on bail after offi cials arrested him for Argentina has become the third Latin American allegedly raising an LGBT Pride fl ag over his home. country to join a U.S. initiative that seeks to promote A gay Saudi man who lives outside the kingdom told the Washington Blade on Monday during a telephone LGBT rights around the world. interview the enhanced penalties that Jiddah prosecutors have proposed would apply to the entire country. The White House on Wednesday said that Argentina The man, who operates a Twitter account that publishes LGBT-specifi c news and other information from Saudi “agreed to join the” the Global Equality Fund, a public- Arabia, said the proposal has caused fear among LGBT people in the country. private partnership the State Department manages with Chanan Weissman, a spokesperson for the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and the U.S. Agency for International Development. The Labor, told the Blade on Tuesday that the U.S. is “aware of these reports, but cannot verify their accuracy.” announcement coincided with President Obama’s visit to “We continue to gather more information,” he said. the South American country. Social media users in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere have begun to use the hashtag “You will not terrorize me. “The United States and Argentina are committed to I’m gay” on Twitter to express their opposition to the proposed penalty. supporting the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, Saudi Arabia is among the countries in which consensual same-sex sexual activity remains punishable by transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) individuals,” reads the death. White House announcement. The State Department’s 2014 human rights report notes it is illegal for men “to behave like women” or Then-Argentine President Cristina Fernández de cross-dress. It also says the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice — the so-called Kirchner signed a same-sex marriage bill into law in 2010 “religious police” that enforces Sharia law in Saudi Arabia — uses undercover agents to target owners of social amid strong opposition from Pope Francis, who was the media accounts that distribute “pornographic content or served as social networking tools for LGBT persons then-archbishop of Buenos Aires. in the kingdom.” Argentina has one of the world’s most comprehensive The man behind the Saudi LGBT Twitter account told the Blade on Monday that agents with the Committee transgender rights laws under which people can for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice use people they arrest as “bait” to entrap LGBT people legally change their gender without surgery. The South who are online. American country also allows gay and bisexual men to “It’s happened so many times,” he said. donate blood. The State Department report notes that police and agents with the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue “The news about Argentina’s support of the Global and the Prevention of Vice arrested 35 gay men — many of whom were wearing women’s clothing — at a Equality Fund, as part of the cooperative actions between Jiddah party in 2014. A judge in the holy city of Medina in the same year sentenced a man to three years in our country and the United States is great news,” LGBT prison and 450 lashes for “soliciting sex with other men” on Twitter. Federation of Argentina Vice President Esteban Paulón Media reports indicate that authorities in the city of Taif arrested a man late last year at a shopping mall who told the Washington Blade on Thursday in an email. was wearing an abaya, a black cloak that women in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries wear. “It means taking a step in the direction of ‘exporting’ The man behind the Saudi LGBT Twitter page told the Blade that the sentences that judges impose upon the rights that we have achieved in our country, and those found guilty of LGBT-specifi c off enses are “completely random.” cooperating regionally on this issue.” “It depends upon the judge,” he said. The Global Equality Fund has given more than $17 Two Saudi YouTube personalities last month posted a video in which they called for the execution of gay million to LGBT advocacy groups since its 2011 launch. people after police reportedly raided a same-sex wedding in the kingdom’s capital of Riyadh. YouTube removed Uruguay and Chile joined the initiative last November the clip after it sparked widespread outrage. and 2014 respectively. Croatia, Germany, the “We thought that this was a big step forward,” a source in Saudi Arabia told the Washington Blade on Sunday. Netherlands, Sweden, the Arcus Foundation and the The source, who asked the Blade not to publish their name because of safety concerns, said reports that Human Rights Campaign are among the other countries Jiddah authorities are seeking the death penalty against those who come out online highlights “the horrifi c and organizations that also contribute to the Global reality of the situation” in the country. Equality Fund. “We can’t do a thing about it, but try to make some noise so activists from other countries would hear about The White House on Wednesday announced that it and talk to their politicians to pressure Saudi to change its policies,” said the source. “The Internet is the only Argentina supports the Inter-American Commission safe haven to LGBT individuals in the Middle East. If this is taken from us, we won’t have anywhere else to go.” on Human Rights’ special rapporteur on LGBT-specifi c The man behind the Saudi LGBT Twitter account agreed. issues. The Obama administration also said the South “It’s their only outlet,” he told the Blade. “There’s no other actual space for LGBT people to meet outside the American country backs a similar body within the U.N. Internet.” Human Rights Council. Saudi Arabia remains a key U.S. ally, especially in the fi ght against ISIS. “The support that the country has expressed for The U.S. gives more than $1 billion in aid to the kingdom each year. the special rapporteur for LGBTI rights in the OAS The State Department told the Blade earlier this year that it continues to urge Saudi Arabia to “respect” (Organization of American States) and the creation of a human rights. Then-spokesperson Jen Psaki in July 2014 declined to say whether Secretary of State John Kerry similar body in the United States is a step in the right raised the kingdom’s LGBT rights record during his meeting with then-Saudi King Abdullah in Jiddah. direction,” Paulón told the Blade. “I don’t think they’ve done nearly enough,” said the man behind the Saudi LGBT Twitter account. The Argentine government has not returned the “I want to see an actual punishment against people who preach hatred,” he added. “I want them to know Blade’s requests for comment. they cannot leave the country.” Obama’s visit to Argentina comes less than four Weissman on Tuesday reiterated the State Department’s previous statements that “LGBTI rights are human months after President Mauricio Macri took offi ce. rights.” Diana Sacayán, a prominent trans rights advocate, “No one should be harmed or have their basic human rights denied because of their sexual orientation,” was found stabbed to death inside her Buenos Aires he told the Blade. “The United States will continue to raise the plight of targeted LGBTI individuals around the apartment last October. She was the third trans woman world and work to protect their basic human rights.” who was reported killed in Argentina in the span of two “The United States works every day, both here in Washington and at our embassies and consulates around months. the world, to ensure that all persons can exercise their human rights, regardless of their sexual orientation or An appellate court last December ruled the two men gender identity,” added Weissman. who allegedly killed Sacayán can go on trial for her MICHAEL K. LAVERS murder. MICHAEL K. LAVERS WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

NATIONAL NEWS APRIL 01, 2016 • 13 Lawsuit seeks to overturn anti-LGBT law in N.C. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 have such laws.” belief.” Disney and several other Making the remarks in the aftermath companies had urged Deal to veto the of Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal vetoing a controversial measure. “religious freedom” bill seen to enable But the biggest controversy erupted in anti-LGBT discrimination in the state, de North Carolina, where the governor last Blasio threatened to institute a travel ban week signed into law what many consider to that state as well if the state legislature the nation’s worst anti-LGBT law. This overrides the veto. week, North Carolina Attorney General “So, my hope is that both these states Roy Cooper announced he would not will relent, but we certainly are not defend in court the recently enacted going to have any non-essential travel measure. to those states if these laws do continue Cooper, a Democrat who’s running to in eff ect,”de Blasio said. “In terms of any become the state’s governor, declared he entities that we do business with, we would not defend House Bill 2 in court at are always looking to make sure that a news conference at his offi ce in Raleigh. there are no instances of discrimination. “Over the last 15 years, our offi ce New York Gov. ANDREW CUOMO has banned government travel to North Carolina after We have a very vigorous Human Rights has defended the state, its offi cials passage of what many consider the country’s worst anti-LGBT law there. Commission as you know. And so that’s and agencies when they’ve been sued,” WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY something we’re constantly looking for Cooper said. “Our offi ce will continue any complaints or concerns about.” to do that, except it will not defend the same thing.” Carolina and bar any such travel not On the same day, Seattle Mayor Ed constitutionality of the discrimination in “He saw what happened in the state essential to the enforcement of state law Murray, who’s gay, announced he had House Bill 2.” of Indiana when that state passed laws or public health and safety. signed an executive order banning city- House Bill 2, signed into law last week that discriminate,” Cooper said. “He saw “In New York, we believe that all sponsored travel to North Carolina over by Gov. Pat McCrory after an emergency that Indiana lost business and millions of people – regardless of their gender the anti-LGBT law. session of the state legislature, undoes all dollars of revenue, and every day working identity or sexual orientation – deserve “It is my hope for our nation that we pro-LGBT city ordinances in North Carolina, people there were hurt. Gov. Deal didn’t the same rights and protections under do not allow issues of discrimination to including a recently approved measure in want that for his state.” the law,” Cuomo said. “From Stonewall divide us,” Murray said in a statement. Charlotte, and prohibits transgender people On Monday, LGBT advocacy groups — to marriage equality, our state has been “Our union is only made stronger when from using public restrooms consistent Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties a beacon of hope and equality for the all Americans are treated equitably.” with their gender identity in schools and Union, the ACLU of North Carolina and LGBT community, and we will not stand Over the weekend San Francisco Mayor government buildings. Equality NC — fi led a lawsuit in federal idly by as misguided legislation replicates Ed Lee announced his city would also ban Cooper said his decision is based on court arguing the law is unconstitutional the discrimination of the past. As long government-sponsored travel to North LGBT non-discrimination policies in place on the basis it violates equal protection as there is a law in North Carolina that Carolina, making him the fi rst mayor in both in his offi ce and the North Carolina under the Fourteenth Amendment to creates the grounds for discrimination the country to make that declaration. treasurer’s offi ce, which he said are “in the U.S. Constitution and Title IX of the against LGBT people, I am barring non- “With other states like Georgia on the direct confl ict” with House Bill 2. The Education Amendments of 1972, which essential state travel to that state.” verge of passing more discriminatory treasurer’s offi ce, Cooper said, asked him prohibits gender discrimination in schools. The order is similar to the one Cuomo laws, let me be clear that San Francisco to represent the offi ce in court to defend In a joint statement, the four signed last year barring government- taxpayers will not subsidize legally the policy in opposition to House Bill 2. organizations behind the lawsuit sponsored travel to Indiana after Pence sanctioned discrimination against “In order to protect our non- commended Cooper, saying he stands signed a “religious freedom” bill seen to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender discrimination policy and employees “on the right side” of history for declining enable to discrimination against LGBT people in any city or state,” Lee said. along with those of our client, the state to defend House Bill 2 in court. people. After Pence signed into a law a Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.), who treasurer’s offi ce, part of our argument will “North Carolina Attorney General Roy “fi x” to the measure, Cuomo rescinded represents portions of Charlotte in be that House Bill 2 is unconstitutional,” Cooper, the state’s top law enforcement the travel ban. Congress, said in a statement she was Cooper said. “Therefore, our offi ce will offi cial, has concluded House Bill 2 The Washington Blade has placed “proud” of offi cials outside of North not represent the defendants in this is unconstitutional and harms North a request with Cuomo’s offi ce for an Carolina taking action against the state’s lawsuit, nor future lawsuits involving the Carolinians without justifi cation,” the estimate on how much state-sponsored anti-LGBT law. constitutionality of House Bill 2.” statement says. “As our lawsuit highlighted travel New York typically conducts “It’s appalling that in 2016 North Citing the potential economic penalty yesterday, House Bill 2 singles out the to North Carolina. Carolinians are still fi ghting for basic and loss of business for North Carolina, LGBT community for discrimination. Cuomo, who became the fi rst governor human rights,” Adams said. “HB2 Cooper said McCrory should call on the That’s not only incompatible with the in the nation to institute a travel ban legalizes discrimination and strips away state legislature to “fi x” House Bill 2 to state’s constitutional and legal obligations over North Carolina’s anti-LGBT law, joins simple guarantees of equal treatment eliminate what he called discrimination but also our shared values as North at least three major cities in banning from the LGBT community. I’m proud enshrined into state law and avoid Carolinians.” government-sponsored travel to the New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio, San litigation altogether. Elsewhere, city and state offi cials Tar Heel State, including New York City, Francisco’s Mayor Ed Lee, organizations “The fact is we shouldn’t have to be enacted travel bans in response to the Seattle and San Francisco. and corporations in North Carolina and dealing with these lawsuits in the fi rst passage of anti-LGBT legislation. New New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also across the country have denounced place,” Cooper said. “This shameful, York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced announced this week he has “initiated a this blatant act of discrimination. North new law has brought them upon us. his state will join at least three major cities non-essential travel ban for North Carolina.” Carolina’s governor and the Republican Discrimination is wrong. Period. The to ban government-sponsored travel to “I think it’s quite clear that voices controlled legislature would rather put governor and the legislature should North Carolina over its recently enacted of conscience all over the country are our local economy at risk than grant repeal this law. Repeal will save needless anti-LGBT law. expressing outrage at these decisions, law abiding citizens equal rights. We litigation costs and will begin to repair our On Monday, Cuomo said in a statement which are re-instituting discrimination should be working together to move our national reputation.” he has signed an executive order against the LGBT community,” de Blasio state and our nation forward, not taking Invoking Deal’s veto of “religious instituting the new policy, which requires said. “And it’s also quite clear that a lot steps back. I will continue to stand with freedom” legislation in Georgia, Cooper New York state agencies to review all of the corporate sector is making clearer Charlotte and the LGBT community in the said McCrory “should have done the requests for state-funded travel to North that it will not participate in states that continued fi ght for equality in our state.” Keep your promise to protect each other. WASHINGTONBLADE.COM 14 • APRIL 01, 2016 BALTIMORE NEWS

Gay teacher honored in Anne Arundel

Music teacher Patrick Alexander, who’s gay, was presented with the Elementary Educator of the Year award by the West County Chamber in Anne Arundel County as part of the Spirit of Community Awards ceremony. The presentation took place on March 14 at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve in Hanover. “I was totally surprised to win this award,” Alexander, who has been teaching instrumental music in Anne PATRICK ALEXANDER Arundel County elementary schools for 10 years, won the Elementary told the Blade. “The other teachers in my category Educator of the Year seemed like amazing educators. I was very honored. award in Anne Arundel County. I also thought this was a nice win for music teachers PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXANDER Wills & Trusts in general.” Powers of Attorney • Living Wills Partnership & Prenuptial Agreements ‘Cloudburst’ to be screened in Columbia

(240) 778-2330 • (703) 536-0220 The LGBT Older Adults Task Force of Howard County and the 50+ Bain Center www.PartnerPlanning.com are co-sponsoring the fi lm “Cloudburst” on May 12. The event takes place at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keaton Way in Columbia from 6-8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Serving the LGBT Community “Cloudburst” is a 2011 Canadian-American adventure comedy-drama fi lm by American-Canadian writer and director Thom Fitzgerald. It stars Olympia in DC/MD/VA since 1983 Dukakis and Brenda Fricker as a lesbian couple who travel from Maine to Nova Scotia to get married after one is moved into a nursing home. Along the way, they encounter a young hitchhiker travelling home to Nova Scotia to visit his Lawrence S. Jacobs/McMillan Metro, PC dying mother, and the three bond as they travel. A discussion will follow the presentation covering such topics as family dynamics, aging, loss and love. This program qualifi es for 2.5 Category I continuing education units in Social Work. Admission is free but reservations are required by May 9 by calling the Bain Serving Our Community for 35 years Center at 410-313-7213. For more information about the LGBT Older Adults Task adviC e • mediatioN • LitiG atioN • a PPeaLS • Co LLa B oratioN Force of Howard County, email [email protected]. Moveable Feast seeks riders for fundraiser

The Ride for the Feast is a major fundraising source for Moveable Feast. The Baltimore-based non-profi t is looking for bike riders to participate in the 140- mile, two-day event that will take place on May 14-15. FamiLY | eState PLaNNiNG | emPLoYmeNt | immiGratioN Moveable Feast is the sole provider of free nutritious meals for people living ComPLeX LitiGatioN | CiviL riGHtS | LGBt | adoPtioN | BuSiNeSS with HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and other life-threatening conditions in Baltimore City, the fi ve surrounding counties and the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland. Silber, Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, P.A. Riders commit to raising $1,500 per person and the scenic ride goes from Ocean attorNeYS at L aw • d C|md|va City to Baltimore. One hundred percent of the funds that each of the riders and crew raise will 301.891.2200 • SP-Law.Com go directly to programs and services and not costs associated with the ride. 6930 CarroLL ave, Suite 610 • takoma Park m d Teams are welcome. For more information, visit rideforthefeast.org or call 410-327-3420. ADVERTISING PROOF PROOF #1 ISSUE DATE: 10.26.12 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS ([email protected]) LGBT choral groups band together REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of REVISIONS the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is Presented by the Tiff any Series, three diverse ensembles will perform in an REDESIGN responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or TEXT REVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any LGBT Choral Celebration this Sunday. Included will be Baltimore’s New Wave copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, Singers; D.C.’s Potomac Fever (the 14-voice a cappella close harmony ensemble NO REVISIONS or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This includes butthat is not islimited part to placement, of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington); and Philadelphia’s SheWho, by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule. and warranties. a feminist women’s vocal ensemble. Each of the groups will perform individually and then come together at the concert’s conclusion in a “mass chorus” song that will also involve audience participation. This is an opportunity to hear three of the mid-Atlantic region’s LGBT choral ensembles in one show. The event takes place at 3 p.m. at the Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1316 Park Avenue in Baltimore. A free reception will follow the concert. Tickets ($15; students $5) are available at browndowntown.org/current- season/ and at the door. Parking and shuttle service will be available. STEVE CHARING

ADVERTISING PROOF PROOF #1 ISSUE DATE: 03.04.16 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: SIRIWAT PATHARAPANUPATH ([email protected])

REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts REVISIONS omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is REDESIGN responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or TEXT REVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE NO REVISIONS washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule. and warranties. WASHINGTONBLADE.COM APRIL 01, 2016 • 15

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eck li F PrEP app debuts in San Francisco MMy tuck • Fat trans F tuck • Fat MMy t • b tu exceeding expectations, SAN FRANCISCO — A new San Francisco-based app called Nurx allows healthy

ody li F residents to order a three-month supply of PrEP that’s delivered to their door one patient at a time. and requires no doctor’s visit, the San Jose Mercury News reports. Dr. Bradley Hare, director of HIV Care and Prevention at Kaiser Permanente t • Microder M San Francisco, said such a delivery service, launched last week, could increase 15% off patient access to the important medication. Botox and fillers Taken daily, pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP, medication can reduce a patient’s chance of contracting HIV by more than 90 percent. PrEP use already otox • Facial Fillers • • Facial otox for new patients with this ad. abrasion • is so common among gay men in San Francisco that some list it on their online dating profi les, but Nurx’s founders say many people who should be on the regimen still face obstacles when trying to get a prescription. Some primary care doctors don’t know about PrEP or view it with suspicion, said Nurx co- arM iposuction • b founder and CEO Hans Gangeskar, and local clinics that off er the regimen are li F overcrowded, according to the Mercury News article. t • b “The current health care system has failed to get PrEP to the people who need

reast reduction it,” Gangeskar said. Nurx has been off ering on-demand delivery of birth control pills in California since mid-December, and recently expanded to New York. The company also

MoDel We noW offe delivers emergency contraception, the article notes. Kybella Supporters say by eliminating time-consuming and potentially embarrassing actual sMartlipo patient of Dr. Michaels r Male breast reduction • l Male breast non-invasivethe latest fat face-to-face doctor’s visits for PrEP, Nurx may prompt more at-risk people to protect removal treatment themselves from HIV. Others, such as staff at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation Joseph Michaels, MD for the neck. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon advised against any service that would circumvent contact with a medical provider. 11404 Old Georgetown Rd. #206 Although follow-up doctor’s visits are not required by Nurx, some supporters say Rockville, MD 20852 Phone: (301) 468-5991 it’s not intended as a replacement for a doctor’s visit, the Mercury News reports. 3620 Joseph Siewick Dr #301 AwARDS Fairfax , VA 22033 LGBT primary care clinic to open in Portland Phone: (703) 957-8610 www.JosephMichaelsMD.com PORTLAND — The Cascade AIDS Project, a 31-year-old Portland organization, plans to open a new 8,500-square-foot primary care clinic focused on LGBT patients, the Portland Tribune reports. The clinic appears to be the fi rst of its kind in the city. “They have the same health issues as the general population, but they have Logan 14 saLon spa/med spa additional issues we need to address,” says Peter Parisot, director of development and communications for the Cascade AIDS Project (CAP). haircuts, body waxing, laser hair removal Parisot says the idea for a standalone clinic catering to the needs of Portland’s large and growing LGBT community fi rst came about after the Aff ordable Care Act and other forces made funding for CAP’s wrap-around services for sexually transmitted diseases unstable, the Tribune reports. Strategic planning to determine where the organization should focus its eff orts began three years ago with the nonprofi t ultimately deciding to focus on what it felt best at: providing medical care to sexual minorities. The clinic will accept private health insurance as well as Medicaid and Medicare. Patients are not required to be LGBT, but the clinic, from doctors to billing staff , will be aware and sensitive to their unique needs, Parisot told the Tribune. The clinic will focus on primary care and as such will not off er surgeries of any kind. The yet-unnamed clinic will open in early 2017 after a half-million-dollar renovation project. It aims to eventually serve 3,000 to 4,000 patients, with a conservative goal of serving 1,000 patients by 2020, the Portland Tribune reports. 1314B 14th St. NW WDC 20005 • 202.506.6868 • Logan14salonspa.com

ADVERTISINGMore PROOF criticism of ‘conversion’ therapy PROOF #1 ISSUE DATE: 03.04.16 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS ([email protected]) MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The world’s largest organization of mental health professionals last week called for an end to the discredited practice of “conversion therapy,” also REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts known as “ex-gay” therapy, the Wisconsin Gazette and other news outlets report. REVISIONS omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users In a statement issued on March 23, the World Psychiatric Association said, REDESIGN can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or TEXT REVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair “WPA believes strongly in evidence-based treatment. There is no sound scientifi c IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE evidence that innate sexual orientation can be changed. Furthermore, so- NO REVISIONS washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This includes calledbut is not limited treatments to placement, of homosexuality can create a setting in which prejudice and by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule. and warranties. discrimination fl ourish, and they can be potentially harmful. The provision of any intervention purporting to ‘treat’ something that is not a disorder is wholly unethical,” the Gazette quoted him as having said. Less than a year ago, the Offi ce of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a report calling for all member countries to end conversion therapy. That report followed the UN Committee Against Torture’s historic decision to raise the issue as a potential violation of human rights just after the National Center for Lesbian Rights delivered testimony at the 2014 review of the United States. And last October, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a report condemning the practice. 202.319.8541 • www.lgbtc.com • Se habla espanol~

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FITNESS APRIL 01, 2016 • 17

The power of 30 days Giving yourself a clear stop date does psychological wonders Educated at Brown, Harvard, and Johns Hopkins At the beginning of the year I asked myself a question. Washingtonian Magazine Top Doc “Gerard, can you abstain from US News & World Report alcohol for 30 days?” I always thought and knew I Top 1% of Doctors in USA could, but on principle I have always steered clear of any 30-day diet, 30- Dual Board Certified: GERARD BURLEY is a D.C.-based personal day challenge or 30-day anything. I Facial Plastic Surgery trainer. Reach him via @CoachGFit or coachg@ have always felt that they teach the Body Plastic Surgery coachgfi tness.com. body to be temporarily healthy and I hate temporary solutions. My whole philosophy to fi tness, nutrition and wellness has always been take small steps that last for a lifetime so they can become long-term changes. Despite my skepticism, through challenging myself, testing it out on my clients and doing a little research, I have learned that a lot can happen in 30 days. Here are my reasons on why I now support 30-day challenges and you should too. 30 days vs. diets — We’ve all been at that point before starting a new diet, usually around New Year’s, when we say to ourselves, “There’s no way I’m going to be able to do this.” Reluctantly we move forward into a diet that we one, don’t want to do and two, don’t think we can do. Two weeks later we have failed once again, feeling terrible about ourselves we turn to food for comfort and the cycle restarts. The fi rst mistake we made with this diet is that we entered something that seemed unattainable, in part because there is no specifi c fi nish line. Thirty-day challenges instead have a clear-cut fi nish line and most people like that. There’s something confi dence building about knowing that at the end of the month one can go back to more comfortable things. This totally switches the attitude that people, including my clients, had when presented with a wellness challenge to eat healthier or to not drink alcohol. As with many obstacles in life, half of being successful is just having a positive mindset and believing that you can achieve it. Does it last? — OK, time for the million dollar question: “Did it work?” Short • Laser Liposuction answer, yes. Long answer, it works twice. I went 30 days with no alcohol and felt better, looked better, slept better and did basically everything better except • Pec and Ab Etching drink. In my clients I saw the same improvements: they lost weight, had more • Facial Rejuvenation energy and overall just felt better at the end of the 30 days. • Gynecomastia This is to be expected. I mean, let’s be real — if you go from eating cheeseburgers or drinking wine every night to eating grilled chicken or pumping lemon water, • Laser Hair Removal your body is going to change. The amazing thing is what happened on days 31 • Botox & Skin Care and 32. I didn’t drink and my clients didn’t sprint to Pizza Hut. Surprisingly to me, I had started a new healthy habit and drinking wasn’t as necessary as it • Transgender Surgeries was before. The body, and more importantly the mind, has an amazing way of • Ultherapy creating a habit no matter what the stimulus is. After just repeating something for as little as four days a week, it’s more likely to become a habit. Though I did my own little study, the Wall Street Journal reported on a 2010 UK study that showed that people who went on 30-day CALL TO ASK challenges were more likely to stick with it for the entire 30 days and to keep up the changes after the 30 days than people who just decided to start a diet. Most ABOUT OUR habits take 66 days to become automatic, but with a 30-day challenge, you’re half way there. LASER LIPO SPECIALS The biggest takeaway I learned and want to pass on is that it’s important that no matter what challenge, diet, lifestyle change, or whatever you call it you decide to take on, that completing it is realistic. If 30 days seems too long, then make it 15 or even a week, but start somewhere. By giving yourself an end date, you’ll go into the change confi dently, which will aff ect your commitment to the program. I encourage you to get out there this spring and take on a small challenge for yourself and your health.

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18 • APRIL 01, 2016 VIEWPOINT VOLUME 47 ISSUE 14 ADDRESS PO Box 53352 Washington DC 20009 PHONE 202-747-2077 Trans Iraqi refugee gives back E-MAIL [email protected] INTERNET ‘I feel so blessed to be in this land’ with many challenges. The biggest challenge In the few years that I have lived here, I have www.washingtonblade.com PUBLISHED BY is where to start and how to pick up your life been able to live as a man, marry the woman Brown Naff Pitts Omnimedia, Inc. By ALI ALWAN from where you left it in a totally diff erent I love, continue my studies, work as an IT spe- PUBLISHER world where everything looks new. In my new cialist and volunteer for refugee causes in my LYNNE J. BROWN Living in a free land that treats me equally home I fi nally started the female-to-male tran- state. [email protected] ext. 8075 EDITORIAL and gives me the right to make my choices— sition to live as the man I have always been Unfortunately, most media here show only EDITOR that’s why I am here in the USA. I am a 30-year- from the inside. the bad side of a few individuals, and I view it KEVIN NAFF old female-to-male transgender Iraqi, born For me, it was never an easy step to leave as my role to refl ect the real image of a Mus- knaff @washblade.com ext. 8088 and raised in Baghdad. In 2013, I arrived in everything behind to be a refugee walking lim refugee. However, this is a big responsibil- FEATURES EDITOR the United States as a refugee from Lebanon, toward the unknown future, but the situa- ity to represent my home country, refl ect my JOEY DIGUGLIELMO [email protected] ext. 8081 where I was waiting on UNHCR’s decision for tion in my home country forced me to leave religion, and show people that refugees are SR. NEWS REPORTER my resettlement case. As a transgender refu- with tears in my eyes. On the other hand, I feel hardworking people. I feel so proud to repre- LOU CHIBBARO JR. gee, my case moved much more quickly than blessed to be here in the USA. In this country, sent the refugees, simply because I had lived [email protected] ext. 8079 many others — I waited for nine months, but everybody is equal and if you work hard you a very hard life in Iraq and this has made me NEWS REPORTER CHRIS JOHNSON many people wait for several years. can achieve your dreams. There is something very strong. I appreciate all the little things I [email protected] ext. 8083 I lived my whole life in low profile in my home here I have never experienced before, which is have now. REPORTER & INTERNATIONAL NEWS EDITOR country, because I was transgender in a war the rule of law. I feel so blessed to be in this land, and it is MICHAEL K. LAVERS zone that was ranked as one of the most dan- As a Muslim, my fi rst refl ection is that this my job now to return the favor, and be a pro- [email protected] POP CULTURE REPORTER gerous places to live as an LGBTI individual. After nation accepts everybody with an open heart. ductive citizen who helps to build this nation MARIAH COOPER a March 2012 brutal campaign of attacks and kill- I did not feel I was an outcast because every- and refl ect the American spirit and values to PHOTO EDITOR ings of LGBTI individuals, fear and hope led me body here represents a diff erent background the whole world. MICHAEL KEY to seek help through the International Refugee and people of all backgrounds join together [email protected] Assistance Project, which studied and helped my in loving this county. As a refugee, I feel wel- PHOTO INTERN ALI ALWAN (name changed for privacy), lives ANTWAN J. THOMPSON case, and UNHCR, who guided me into a safe comed by the people I meet, and I have been with his wife in the Northeastern United States. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS place to live in the United States. treated with respect because so many people He works in information technology and serves PETER ROSENSTEIN, MARK LEE, Living as a transgender refugee comes here were refugees once. as an advocate for LGBTI communities and LATEEFAH WILLIAMS, KATE CLINTON, refugee resettlement. KATHI WOLFE, RICHARD J. ROSENDALL CREATIVE DESIGN/PRODUCTION AZERCREATIVE.COM EDITORIAL CARTOON SALES & ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING STEPHEN RUTGERS [email protected] ext. 8077 SR. ACCT. EXECUTIVE BRIAN PITTS [email protected] ext. 8089 ACCT. EXECUTIVE SIRIWAT PATHARAPANUPATH [email protected] ext. 8078 DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER BROOKE JORDAN [email protected] ext. 8094 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATION PHILLIP G. ROCKSTROH [email protected] ext. 8092 NATIONAL ADVERTISING RIVENDELL MEDIA 212-242-6863; [email protected] For distribution, contact Lynne Brown at 202-747-2077, ext. 8075. 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VIEWPOINT APRIL 01, 2016 • 19 U.S. silent on anti-LGBT attacks in Ukraine lution brought a new government to power, law in November. “last chance” to reform the government. After State Dept. mum as equality Ukraine has aimed to break away from Russia The most disappointing response has been politicians continued scuttling reforms, the festival shut down and join a free and democratic Europe. In recog- not of Ukraine, but of the West. Over the past IMF froze the release of an aid package crucial nition of this goal, the U.S. and the EU are pro- two years, American and European leaders to keeping Ukraine’s economy afl oat. Earlier viding Kiev with enormous amounts of aid. For have vociferously condemned the homopho- this month, Assistant Secretary of State Victo- By LEV GOLINKIN the past two years, Ukraine has been a nation bic policies of the Russian government of Vladi- ria Nuland testifi ed to the Senate that “dirty Recently, Ukraine’s LGBT community at- in flux, with a government in close contact with mir Putin. When it comes to violence against money and dirty politics” are threatening to tempted to test the country’s new Western Washington, and a significant percentage of the the LGBT community in neighboring Ukraine, ruin the country. path by holding an equality festival in the city population ready to adopt Western values. however, the West has been largely restrained. These harsh statements by high-level dip- of L’viv. The outcome was deplorable: L’viv, The road toward embracing these values To be fair, Moscow’s actions — from its lomats stand in sharp contrast to the silence which markets itself as the most European city has been slow. When two men fi lmed them- shameful homophobia during the 2014 Sochi surrounding the L’viv events. In fact, the clos- in Ukraine, tried to prevent the festival by tak- selves holding hands in Kiev last May, they Olympics to the criminalization of “promoting est thing to an offi cial Washington response to ing the organizers to court. When the roughly were quickly assaulted by thugs. Last June, homosexual propaganda to minors” — have 300 neo-Nazis attacking LBGT activists came 70 participants gathered in a hotel, it was sur- members of Right Sector (another far-right given the West plenty of opportunities for con- via several tweets by Geoff rey Pyatt, the U.S. rounded by a mob of 200-300 masked thugs group with neo-fascist leanings) brutally end- demnation. But if America is tough on Russia, ambassador to Ukraine. Neither the State De- chanting, “Kill, kill, kill,” at which point the atten- ed a Pride parade in Kiev, injuring police and why does it remain oddly silent when it comes partment nor the Congressional LGBT Equal- dants were evacuated by police. participants alike. Several LGBT activists told to Ukraine, a nation that receives billions of ity Caucus issued so much as a press release. Afterward, Misanthropic Division, a neo- Western journalists that violence against the dollars in aid precisely because it seeks to em- If Washington plans to continue invest- Nazi organization, claimed responsibility for community has risen after the revolution. brace democratic, Western values? ing sizeable resources into Ukraine’s nascent showing the “degenerates” who are in charge Support from the Kiev government has One may be tempted to think Washington’s democracy, it needs to address not only eco- of L’viv. The group celebrated by displaying been patchy at best. Prior to last year’s Kiev reticence stems from the fact that America nomic wrongs, but also human rights viola- photographs of members giving the Nazi sa- Pride parade, Ukraine’s president Petro Poro- is so heavily involved in Ukraine; after all, it’s tions – especially when they are as glaring as lute on its Facebook page. shenko publicly stated that the LGBT commu- never politically expedient to criticize an ally. what happened in L’viv. LGBT activists have good reason to be nity had a right to conduct the march — the In reality, however, D.C. has a track record of Many speak of human rights; the organizers pessimistic when confronting persecution announcement was a giant, almost unbeliev- taking Kiev to task in a harsh and unequivocal of L’viv’s festival risked their lives for the cause, in Eastern Europe. The region’s entrenched able step for Ukraine. And yet, many lawmak- manner — just not on human rights matters. and will continue doing so in the future. Surely homophobia, reinforced by decades of Com- ers have either remained silent or issued hor- The United States has repeatedly criticized the U.S. government can recognize their cour- munist dictatorships as well as burgeoning rendous statements backing the far right. “Our Ukraine for failing to root out the endemic age with more than a tweet. far-right movements, makes it tempting to ancestors would have trampled these people corruption, which continues to paralyze the concentrate equality eff orts on more realistic with their horses,” is how one parliament dep- country. Last December, Vice President Joe LEV GOLINKIN is a New Jersey-based writer goals. Ukraine, however, is a unique case. uty responded when Ukraine was working to Biden fl ew into Kiev to warn a parliament full who specializes in human rights and immigrant experiences. His work has appeared in the New Ever since the 2013-2014 Euromaidan revo- pass a simple workplace non-discrimination of stone-faced lawmakers that this was their York Times and other outlets.

INSIDE LGBT WASHINGTON Under Bowser, state of the District is good of people.” and most diffi cult and is making progress in all ing residents a chance to speak out on what Looking forward to more It is clear after 14 months in offi ce that May- eight wards of the city. they see as priorities. Bowser has always progress after strong start or Bowser has dealt with a lot of issues she The mayor gave credit to members of the prized community input and she isn’t only talk- didn’t choose but has done so with compas- Council and her predecessors Williams, Fenty ing the talk but walking the walk in this regard. sion, intelligence and aplomb, always putting and Gray when she spoke about changes that Based on community input, the mayor added the interests of the people of the District fi rst. have occurred in the past 10 years, including $75 million to the school budget. The mayor has begun to make progress on school reform and school modernization. She With regard to public safety, she rightfully her campaign promises. One of the biggest touted existing successful programs, like hav- took credit for keeping Chief of Police Cathy was committing to close the homeless shelter ing 500 mentors for boys who need it most; Lanier in the District and luring the District’s at D.C. General. Others included adding addi- the money saved by families when Kids Ride new Fire Chief Gregory Dean from Seattle. She tional funds to build aff ordable housing; get- Free on public transportation; 8,200 families has budgeted $500,000 for security camera ting a handle on crime and improving public reading to their children benefi ting from the rebates for businesses and implemented the PETER ROSENSTEIN is a D.C.-based LGBT rights and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly safety; and continuing to reform and improve “Books from Birth” program; and various Cor- Body Worn Camera program for MPD offi cers for the Blade. the District’s education system. These are all nerstone, Common Core and Career Acad- with a commitment that by the end of the year areas diffi cult to impact but we are seeing emies. every MPD offi cer will be wearing one. Muriel Bowser delivered her State of positive changes and progress is being made Bowser highlighted statistics showing to- The mayor touted the city’s continued the District speech last week at the beauti- on all of them. day there are 15,000 more students in public economic development from St. Elizabeth’s ful Arena Stage Theater in Southwest, D.C. The mayor’s recently released plan to close schools than in 2007 and student achieve- in Ward 8 to Columbia Heights, City Center Having lived in Southwest after moving to the D.C. General homeless shelter is a case in ment rising. What wasn’t discussed is despite and progress on the Walter Reed campus the District in 1978, seeing the changes that point. It is a comprehensive plan she submit- all this we have a growing achievement gap. redevelopment. She made news when call- have taken place — and those still coming ted to the public and the Council for review In D.C., the achievement gap is between white ing on the Council to increase the District’s — is incredible. and while it isn’t perfect it deals with the issue children and African-American and Latino chil- minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020. She There will always be those unhappy with in a smart way. dren. Changing this must be our primary fo- touted her support for budget autonomy government. Bowser began her speech say- In her speech, the mayor spoke of elected cus but we have to recognize that the schools and then reminded everyone that based on ing, “The thing about being mayor is that offi cials having three choices when building alone can’t fi x this. It will only change when we the court decision this will be the fi rst bud- on any given day, you don’t always set your the city. “One is to reject growth and accept do something about every factor that impacts get in which the city will control the funds it agenda. You don’t get to pick the issue, the decline; two is growing without regard to our a child’s life, including economics, housing, nu- raises on its own. call, or the emergency that requires your at- roots, and risk losing what makes D.C. great; trition, community and parenting, In all, this has been a great start for the tention, or requires you to make a decision, and the third is to balance change with preser- The mayor has been out in the community Bowser administration and we can look for- one that could aff ect hundreds of thousands vation and growth.” She has chosen the third hosting budget engagement forums and giv- ward to more progress under this mayor. WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

20 • APRIL 01, 2016 VIEWPOINT El infl ujo de Obama en Cuba

El presidente trae sueños y aspiraciones de los caribeños a radicarnos. el ofi cialismo para tabularnos dentro de un mañana paradisiaco que nunca ven De paso se pidió que las históricas exi- una organización como el CENESEX cuya inspiración, esperanza a la llegar y que se prolonga en el tiempo in- gencias en la que nos abanderamos sean agenda real es la de lanzar fuegos de arti- isla comunista defi nidamente. tratadas en los diálogos que sostienen fi cios para crear la ilusión de que Cuba es El presidente le dio la espalda al len- sobre derechos humanos ambos gobier- inclusiva con el homosexual. Por NELSON GANDULLA DÍAZ guaje protocolar que caracteriza al ámbi- nos. La visita de Obama sirvió en todo caso to diplomático y se vino sin medias tintas Si algo sobró de cuanto dijo quien hoy para visualizar a este sector de la comu- Ya hace seis días que marchó, sin a hablarle al cubano promedio. Le habló reside en la Casa Blanca, fue su aclaración nidad homosexual que ha sido margi- embargo sus palabras siguen teniendo de tú a tú al hombre a la mujer al negro que el destino de la isla debía ser moldea- nado por mantenerse equidistante del replica en la mente y el corazón de los al homosexual. Para nuestra comuni- do por los cubanos. Y es que, dentro del poder. Ha sido el único presidente que cubanos. El raulismo lo percibe, por ello dad pidió respeto y enmarcó el tema de movimiento civilista independiente cu- ha visitado a Cuba mencionado en un dis- apenas el presidente tomo el avión para nuestras libertades dentro del respeto a bano, particularmente de organizaciones curso público la necesidad de respectar darse un salto hasta Argentina, la maqui- los derechos humanos universales. pro derechos LGBTI como la que presido, los derechos de los homosexuales, de re- naria ideológica del régimen comenzó Ya luego tuvo a bien dialogar en un ám- no existe nadie pensando que la súper unirse con activistas LGBTI y escucharles. una furibunda campaña propagandística bito privado con algo más de una docena potencia que vendrá a salvarnos. Sacando cuentas he de concluir que por tendiente a inocular en la psiquis de mis de activistas de la sociedad civil indepen- Nos queda claro, aunque agradec- primera vez en décadas, las palabras de coterráneos la idea que Obama es un diente cubana. Entre estos estuvieron emos a Obama por recordarlo, que los un político foráneo se dirige al pueblo cu- lobo con piel de oveja. presente representando a la comunidad cambios sociales deben ser concebidos y bano no al gobierno. La satisfacción que Su condición étnica, (en Cuba el 65 por LGBTI y a quienes bregamos por conqui- ejecutados por los propios cubanos. Sin me embarga no es exclusiva, es la misma ciento de los ciudadanos son negros o star los derechos que a ese segmento le embargo esta perogrullada no está divor- que ahora mismo afecta a millones de mestizos) su historia de éxito, (Como sin son negados, dos conocidos líderes, que ciada de lo deseado y conveniente que mis hermanos. El infl ujo que dejaron las ser rico llegó a ser el hombre más poder- conocen de primera mano, los vejámenes es la solidaridad de gobiernos y pueblos, palabras del presidente norteamericano oso del planeta,) la imagen familiar que le que este régimen de machista nos ha con causas como laque propugnamos. Bama les aseguro que dejarán sentir a lo acompañó, y sobre todo, su discurso car- propinado. No corresponde a Obama hablar de largo de muchos años. gado de esperanza y con la mira puesta Nuestros compañeros expusieron en los campos de trabajo forzoso en el que en el futuro, encajó en el imaginario de apretada síntesis el abultado expediente fueron recluidos miles de homosexu- un pueblo que por décadas solo ha veni- de abusos y violaciones que los Castros ales, ni de la marginación que sufren NELSON GANDULLA DÍAZ es el presidente de do escuchando el monolítico discurso de han implementado por décadas en el los transexuales en centros educativos la Fundación Cubana por los Derechos LGBTI, plaza sitiada que insiste en postergar los afán obsesivamente homofóbico de er- y laborales o de los intentos que hace un grupo LGBT cubano independiente.

VIEWPOINT Obama’s legacy in Cuba

President brings inspiration, bean people to a heavenly tomorrow that that the historic excigencies that we government line makes within an orga- hope to Communist island never arrives and is postponed indefi nite- champion be included in the human nization like National Center for Sexual ly in time. rights dialogue that both governments Education, whose real agenda is to create The president turned his back on the support. a smokescreen to create the illusion that By NELSON GANDULLA DIAZ protocular language that character- If anything were to remain behind of Cuba is inclusive of the homosexual. izes the diplomatic realm and he came what was said by the person who resides Obama’s visit in any case served to give It’s already been six days since Presi- to speak to the average Cuban without in the White House today, it would be visibility to the sector of the gay commu- dent Obama left Cuba, but his words mincing words. He spoke one on one to his clarifi cation that the island’s destiny nity that has been marginalized because continue to resonate in the minds and the man, to the woman, to the black per- should have been shaped by the Cu- it kept itself independent from the re- hearts of the Cuban people. The regime’s son, to the homosexual. He called for re- ban people. And that moreover within gime. He has been the only head of state ideological machinery that we refer to as spect for our community and framed the the independent Cuban civil society to visit Cuba who has mentioned in a pub- Raulismo knows this and began a furious issue of our liberties within the respect of movement — particularly like the one I lic speech the need to respect the rights propaganda campaign to inoculaate into universal human rights. preside over — there is nobody who is of homosexuals, and meet with and listen the psyche of my countrymen as soon He then saw fi t to speak privately with thinking that the superpower will come to LGBTI activists. as the president boarded his plane to fl y more than a dozen activists from inde- to save us. Taking this into account, I conclude that off to Argentina the idea that Obama is a pendent Cuban civil society. Represen- While we thank Obama for acknowl- for the fi rst time in decades the words of wolf in sheep’s clothing. tatives of the LGBTI community — two edging it, it is clear to us that social chang- a foreign politician were directed toward His ethnicity (65 percent of Cuban well-known leaders who know fi rst hand es need to be conceived and executed by the Cuban people and not the govern- citizens are black or mixed race), his suc- the humilation that this machista regime Cubans themselves. But this platitude is ment. The satisfaction that overwhelms cess story (he became the most powerful has dealt the LGBTI community — were not divorced from what is desired and me is not mine alone. It similarly now af- man on the planet without being rich), among those present with whom we desirable, that governments and people fects millions of my brothers and sisters. the family image that accompanied him struggle to win the rights that are denied show solidarity with causes like those The infl uence that U.S. President Barack and above all, his discourse that is full of to this segment of society. that we advocate. Obama’s words has left behind will be felt hope and with an eye toward the future, Our colleagues presented a concise This does not mean that Obama should for many years to come. fi ts into the imagination of a people who synopsis of the abuses and violations that speak about the forced labor camps in have only been listening to the monolithic the Castros have committed for decades which thousands of homosexuals were siege mentality discourse (of the regime) in the obsessively homophobic eagerness held, nor the marginalization that trans- NELSON GANDULLA DÍAZ is president of that for decades has insisted on postpon- to erradicate us. sexuals suff er in education and work the Cuban Foundation for LGBTI Rights, an ing dreams and aspirations of the Carib- In passing, our colleagues demanded centers or the attempts that the offi cial independent Cuban advocacy group. WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

OUR BUSINESS MATTERS APRIL 01, 2016 • 21 Business expands its leading role in LGBT equality es administration while maintaining uniform to deny membership to LGBT students that scendo. Commerce complements courts, benefi t programs and working environments. failed to generate much advance awareness. North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory resisted ‘coming out’ as force for change This is especially true as LGBT organizations Indiana Gov. Mike Pence likely dashed any entreaties by enterprise in the state and else- dwindle in number, shrink in size, and shrivel hopes he may have had about running for presi- where to veto a bill passed during a special activities as a result of the winning of most dent, or possibly being re-elected this fall, when statehouse session last week. The measure rights and protections among a population blindsided last year by a tidal wave of in-state preempts local LGBT civil protections, rescind- majority and a momentum-fueling Supreme business opposition after signing a Religious ing laws approved in Charlotte and other cit- Court marriage equality ruling. Freedom Restoration Act that codified anti-gay ies, and requires transgender persons to use Most important, the contribution by the discrimination in excess of protections under the public restrooms corresponding to the gender business community has proven particularly federal version. He was forced to push the state on their birth certifi cate. The latter creates important and uniquely successful in places legislature to pass a bill granting protections for new social dilemmas and no practical solution MARK LEE is a long-time entrepreneur least conducive for winning battles or preserv- LGBT Hoosiers and visitors after a campaign led when involving multi-user facilities. and community business advocate. Follow ing victories. by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and en- Gov. McCrory did so despite opposition by on Twitter: @MarkLeeDC. Reach him at [email protected]. This dynamic was illustrated two years ago gaging businesses both large and small through- state businesses and national corporations, in Arizona when then-Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed out the state, alongside national corporations including an NBA threat to relocate next year’s Thank goddess for business. a so-called religious freedom bill. Brewer ac- and sports leagues, pummeled him. All-Star game, on a likely mistaken gamble Although it galls left-leaning advocates and knowledged that strong opposition by the Pence was further humiliated when Arkansas voter support for his reelection required it. fringe-worthy gay rights political groups, it is in- state’s business community, including small Gov. Asa Hutchinson refused to sign a religious State Attorney General Roy Cooper, running creasingly clear that enterprise has assumed a and moderate-sized enterprise and national liberty law after state businesses and national against McCrory, announced Tuesday morn- leading role in both advancing and defending corporations, persuaded her to halt legislation companies, including Walmart, publicly pres- ing that he won’t defend the law against court LGBT equality across the country. that would have allowed service denial to gays sured him. Hutchinson later signed compromise challenge. Business does so because it makes good and lesbians if doing so posed a confl ict with a legislation restating existing federal law. In addition to court intervention, there are economic sense. It enables fi rms to recruit business operator’s religious beliefs. This week, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal ve- now two primary factors that wield the great- from an under-35 talent pool in which eight- A similar bill in Kansas was set aside by the toed a religious liberty bill that countenanced est infl uence in guaranteeing fair treatment of-10 support civil rights for gays and lesbians state legislature for the same reason the same discrimination against gay, lesbian and trans- for gays and lesbians across the country: the like a sizable majority of all Americans, locate month Brewer wielded her veto pen. Last gender people by church offi cials, religious demonstrable eff ect that knowing us has on employees in jurisdictions providing civic ac- week, however, Gov. Sam Brownback signed organizations and faith-based groups. He did garnering acceptance and the impact of busi- ceptance younger and less-youthful workers into law a narrowly focused bill allowing re- so after overwhelming state and national busi- ness on advancing assimilation for all. alike demand, and streamline human resourc- ligious groups at colleges and universities ness opposition to the measure grew to a cre- Nowadays, the rest is mostly fl uff .

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NEW SIGNATURE PRODUCTION EXPLORES TANGLED WEB OF EMOTION

By PATRICK FOLLIARD

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT • WASHINGTONBLADE.COM • VOLUME 47 • ISSUE 14 • APRIL 01, 2016 • PAGE 23

From left are EMILY TOWNLEY, XAVIER SCOTT EVANS, SHAYNA BLASS and JEFF STILL in ‘The Mystery of Love & Sex’ at Signature Theatre.

PHOTO BY JUSTIN CHIEF; COURTESY OF SIGNATURE THEATRE

Bathsheba Doran won’t be attending after she became a parent. not something I feel now.” of support is important to playwrights, the area premiere of her play “The “Having a child gave me an ability Her last play “Kin” (2011) is about two she says. Mystery of Love & Sex” at Signature to look back at youth with a degree of diff erent kinds of people falling in love. Director Stella Powell-Jones, Theatre. She’s far too pregnant to travel. omniscience allowing me to write from a And though it was inspired by the early granddaughter of famed biographer Lady “It’s true,” Doran says via phone from new and diff erent perspective,” she says. days of her relationship when she met Antonia Frazer, is a longtime Doran fan. her home in New York. “Yesterday I What still surprises Doran is how much her wife who was stage managing her “I wish I had a more romantic story bought a caftan. I never imagined myself Charlotte’s quasi-romantic relationship fi rst New York production, the playwright about our fi rst meeting, but the truth is wearing a caftan and now I never want to with her best friend Jonny resonates with chose to write the couple as heterosexual. we have the same agent,” Powell-Jones take it off .” gay theatergoers. After the play was fi rst “I felt not wrongly that if I made it two says. “I read the play in London where I The baby will be Doran and her wife’s produced at New York’s Lincoln Center women, it would become about two grew up. Bash and I are both English and second child. The fi rst time around her last spring, she heard from many people women and not that. I was more interested that was a wonderful way to meet the wife gave birth, and now it’s the British- who’d been through the same thing. in the machinations of how lovers meet. I play because it’s about home and family. born playwright’s turn. Still, Doran has “It’s a really lovely example of a specifi c didn’t want it to be overshadowed by the Reading this play I fell instantly in its been intimately involved in the lead up to experience becoming general and relatable, specifi cs of sexuality.” clutches.” the production, conferring regularly with and one that’s not dramatized much. “With ‘The Mystery of Sex & Love,’ Powell-Jones was also struck by Doran’s the play’s director, Stella Powell-Jones. It’s something beautiful but has a tragic I didn’t feel it needed to be about “gorgeous dialogue and intelligent “The Mystery of Love & Sex” is about love element about it too, because it can prevent heterosexuals,” Doran says. “The play characters. Each is given the full range of — love between fathers and daughters, you from being who you actually are.” burst out of me. I wasn’t sure it would be her imagination. I love it when they use husbands and wives, best friends and D.C. native Shayna Blass, 25, who plays produced. I’d thought the moment for their language. It feels very human.” By ultimately romantic relationships, says Charlotte in the Signature production, characters struggling with their sexuality setting the play in the American South, Doran who’s familiarly known as Bash. It is amazed by her character’s growth had passed. Well, turns out it hasn’t. an area where the playwright has spent charts the turbulent journey of longtime throughout the play and relates to her We still live in a world of resentment a lot of time, Doran not only put things best friends Charlotte (Shayna Blass) who “struggle in dealing with expectations and hatred. Sometimes I think people in a context where society isn’t accepting is Jewish and African-American Jonny — the struggle between who you are living in the bubble of Manhattan don’t toward matters of questioning sexuality, (Xavier Scott Evans) who was brought and who you’re supposed to be.” While understand that.” but also opened the door to interesting up a strict Baptist. Now college age, they Blass identifi es as “primarily straight Earlier in Doran’s career, Signature language, a world with characters who take their relationship to the next level but open to more” (not an uncommon produced her play “Nest” (2007), a use language evocatively. despite an absence of attraction. And status among young people in theater, re-imagining of the true story of a “My job has always been to honor the while Charlotte attests to love Jonny, she she says), she fi nds Charlotte’s journey Pennsylvania indentured servant who truths of the plays,” Powell-Jones says. also thinks she loves a new friend, Claire. relatable to everyone who is experiencing murdered her baby in 1809, and the man “I hope I’ve done that with this work. It’s Charlotte’s parents played by Emily or has experienced revelations about who wrote the ballad that was sold at a rich, dense, and fresh intersection of Townley and Jeff Still, have mixed feelings. themselves. her hanging. She describes it as a daring race, sexuality and family. There’s a lot of Doran requests no spoilers, citing the Until now, Doran’s work didn’t include and diffi cult play that wouldn’t have been personal honesty and it’s also hilarious — word “mystery” in the play’s title. a lot of gay characters or specifi cally gay written if it wasn’t for the support she funny and sad at the same time because As playwright, Doran’s way into the themes. “It’s partly because a not-very- received from Signature. Now many plays that’s how life is. It’s not trying to say this work was the experience she shares with great mentor advised me not to,” she says. and TV writing gigs (HBO’s “Boardwalk is the defi nitive experience of coming Charlotte. The details are diff erent yet the “On some level it had an eff ect on me. I Empire” and Showtime’s “Masters of out. It gives you one story and hopefully emotions are the same. But, she adds, had an anxiety that writing gay characters Sex”) later, Doran is pleased to have from the specifi cs of that story you draw it’s not a coincidence that she wrote this ran the risk of not being universal. This is another Signature production. This type something broader.” WASHINGTONBLADE.COM 24 • APRIL 01, 2016 QUEERY: 20 QUESTIONS FOR ROBERT WOOD

ROBERT WOOD WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

By JOEY DiGULIELMO How long have you been out and who Feel sorry for those who wanted to use [email protected] was the hardest person to tell? it. Since I was 20; my mother. You know those “what if” scenarios everyone likes to ponder over drinks? What do you believe in UrbanArias takes the concept to a new level with its new production “After Who’s your LGBT hero? beyond the physical world? Life,” which imagines Gertrude Stein and Pablo Picasso sniping at each other E.M. Forster Celestial music that is absolutely mind- in the hereafter and making excuses for what they did and didn’t do during blowing. World War II. What’s Washington’s It’s being featured in a double bill with “Josephine,” which depicts dancer/ best nightspot, past or present? What’s your advice for actress Josephine Baker looking back at her long career on the nightclub The Lincoln Memorial LGBT movement leaders? stages of Paris. Stay vigilant. There are plenty of people The works are by Tom Cipullo and help UrbanArias continue its mission Describe your dream wedding. who would like to take away the rights of producing short, contemporary operas. Founded by Robert Wood in 2010, I’d skip straight to the dream reception. we’ve gained over the last few decades. the company is committed to exposing D.C.-area audiences to “engaging, accessible and entertaining operas.” Wood will conduct the works, which will What non-LGBT issue are you most What would you walk across be presented April 2-3 and 8-9 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St., passionate about? hot coals for? N.E.). Tickets are $33. Details and times at urbanarias.com. Helping people discover opera. The cures to all of mankind’s diseases, Wood is a Shaker Heights, Ohio, native who came to Washington eight years especially the one that killed my mother. ago after stints in San Francisco, Vienna and Chicago. He lives with his partner What historical outcome in Arlington and enjoys writing and gardening in his free time. would you change? What LGBT stereotype The 2000 presidential election. annoys you most? I fi t so many of them, it’s hard to be What’s been the most memorable pop annoyed by it. culture moment of your lifetime? I’m pop-culture illiterate. My friends will What’s your favorite LGBT movie? confi rm this. “My Own Private Idaho”

On what do you insist? What’s the most Putting apostrophes in the right place. overrated social custom? Workplace decorum What was your last Facebook post or Tweet? What trophy or prize It had to do with opera and sheep. do you most covet? Not a prize, but conducting Wagner’s If your life were a book, Ring Cycle. what would the title be? “Every Time I Think I’ve Arrived, It Turns What do you wish you’d known at 18? Out the Train Is Still Moving” There are even more good options than you imagine. If science discovered a way 202.747.2077 to change sexual orientation, Why Washington? what would you do? It needs more artists. WASHINGTONBLADE.COM APRIL 01, 2016 • 25

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PHOTO BY PAUL GRACE

A California family visits their Nebraska relatives in the moody ‘Take Me to the River.’

Promising family drama As a director, Sobel displays an (his daughter’s mysterious bloodstain). impressive confi dence. The movie’s That anger is channeled through a keen sullied by dangling pacing is assured and steady. He intelligence that makes him dangerous plot points eff ectively ratchets up the tension as and unpredictable. Parker fuels young the weekend progresses and a palpable Molly with an unsettling combination sense of dread pervades the movie. His of childish innocence and premature By BRIAN T. CARNEY collaboration with cinematographer sexuality. The city folk are no match for Thomas Scott Stanton is also powerful. their creepy country cousins. In “Take Me to The River,” fi rst-time Sobel and Stanton deliver striking Unfortunately, Sobel’s solid work as director and writer Matt Sobel shows Midwestern landscapes that are by turns director is not matched by his work as great promise, even if his feature debut serene and sinister. They also use natural screenwriter. The smaller roles are never doesn’t quite live up to the promise of its light quite eff ectively to heighten the developed. Schiff doesn’t get to do much sinister premise. mood, whether capturing the oppressive besides shrug and sigh as the supportive In this moody tale of family dysfunction, heat of the midday sun or the creepy father and husband. Azure Skye and gay California teen Ryder (Logan Miller) is shadows of moonlight. Elizabeth Franz are wasted as Keith’s wife forced by his mom Cindy (Robin Weigert Sobel also gets robust performances and mother, and Ryder’s threatening of “Deadwood,” “Sons of Anarchy” and from his lead actors. Miller adds to an male cousins vanish from the fi lm too “Jessica Jones”) and dad Don (Richard impressive list of movie and television quickly. Schiff of “The West Wing”) to attend a credits with his fi ne performance as a More importantly, the script never family reunion in Nebraska. He wants confused teenager. The self-centered provides an eff ective outlet for the to come out to his extended family, but youth is often clueless to what’s going growing sense of dread and the rising his anxious mother convinces him to be on around him, but Miller shades the tension. Sobel’s psychological drama is discreet about his sexuality. He stays character with an appealing sense of like a horror movie where the monster quiet, but rebels by wearing bright red decency and bravery. Weigert gives an never appears. There is a deep, dark short shorts and gold sunglasses. He gets interesting performance as the sibling family secret in play, but it’s hinted some mild teasing from his male cousins, who escaped to California but can never at, rather than revealed, so there’s no but his female cousins are enthralled by really forget her Nebraska roots. Even catharsis and no real sense of conclusion. the artsy visitor. Ryder notices that she talks diff erently It’s all build-up with no release. Calamity strikes when 17-year-old Ryder when she’s with her family. While Cindy’s Still, “Take Me to the River,” which and his 9-year old cousin Molly (Ursula desire to placate her Nebraska relatives opens today at the Landmark E Street Parker) visit the hay barn. Molly runs from can become annoying, Weigert grounds Cinema, is well worth seeing on the big the barn with a mysterious bloodstain on her character’s behavior in a believable screen. The fi lm was an offi cial selection her dress and a dazed Ryder is unable to sense of guilt. of the Sundance Film Festival. The fi ne explain what happened. Molly’s father Hamilton provides an eff ective air of performances and the atmospheric Keith (Josh Hamilton) erupts in a barely menace that gives the fi lm much of its camera work are worth savoring, and controlled fury and the tension mounts momentum. Keith is a festering heap there will be bragging rights for seeing the as Keith plays a cat-and-mouse game of anger, fuming at injuries old (the fi rst fi lm by the talented new fi lmmaker with his sister and nephew. division of his father’s estate) and new Matt Sobel.

ADVERTISING PROOF PROOF #1 ISSUE DATE: 03.25.16 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: SIRIWAT PATHARAPANUPATH ([email protected])

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PHOTO COURTESY OF SPOTLUCK

Spotluck adds a new dimension to D.C. dining.

Spotluck off ers discounts the opposite eff ect of other demand-driven services like Uber, because the focus is to with the spin of an bring customers into the restaurants that app wheel have seats to fi ll at that moment. Some of the D.C. restaurants that you might land on during a spin include By KRISTEN HARTKE Perry’s, Smoke & Barrel, Big Stick, Indique WE NEED YOU TO MAKE and Duke’s Grocery — or even a hidden It’s Friday night and you can’t decide gem you’ve never heard of. The app has HIV/AIDS HISTORY where to go out for dinner, a fi rst-world become so popular among locals that problem if there ever was one. people lined up throughout the day to A couple of decades ago in the District, fi nd out more about it when Spotluck this was really not an issue because visited last weekend’s Cherry Blossom there weren’t nearly as many choices, Beer & Wine Festival. but nowadays the selection can require “People like telling friends that they serious contemplation. However, if you’ve knew about us when we only had 30 got a yen for gambling, a smartphone restaurants,” Thomas says. app called Spotluck is here to make your Eight of those fi rst 30 restaurants were dining-out adventures more interesting. in the Rockville neighborhood where the The brainchild of two D.C.-area app got its start back in 2014. For Spotluck entrepreneurs, Cherian Thomas and founders Thomas and Sayler, the app was Brad Sayler, Spotluck off ers randomly both a leap of faith and a labor of love, discounted restaurant meals, all with the taking 18 months to develop, during spin of a virtual wheel. With participating which they focused fi rst on fi nding out restaurants organized into “hubs” by from restaurant owners what kept them neighborhood, including Dupont Circle, up at night — from rained-out weekends Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill and the to negative online reviews — and worked U Street Corridor, the Spotluck app’s to build a concept that would be useful for discounts are dependent on the day of the both the merchants and the consumers, week, time of day and even the weather, looking to help restaurants build a with a premise that meals should be less consistent customer base while diners expensive during slow times, such as a could enjoy up to 30 percent discounts on frigid Tuesday evening when diners are food and drink, available only for that day less likely to venture out. and maybe even only for an hour or two. “We spent a lot of time analyzing With more than 300 restaurants now the downsides of existing discounting participating in Spotluck and more than platforms,” Thomas, Potluck CEO, says, 50,000 downloads, the dining discounts “to create a merchant-centric product that can be found all across the region, from protected the bottom line while still hooking Annapolis to Leesburg to Tenleytown. A consumers up with preferred pricing.” new hub is being launched in Falls Church Once users download the free app — this week, featuring local hot spots like ranked no. 1 in the iTunes app store in the Lebanese Taverna, Mad Fox Brewing dining category, ahead of GrubHub and Company, Caribbean Plate, Panjshir, Tara TAKE STEPS WITH US: OpenTable — they get a chance to try out Thai and Yayla Bistro. Once Spotluck has a little restaurant roulette, in the form of fi nished mapping out deals in the D.C. area, one spin a day to receive a random bonus they’ll start expanding to other East Coast discount from one of the participating cities, with an eye on Philadelphia next. restaurants in each neighborhood. “We saw the frustration restaurants � CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM had when it was a Monday at 2 p.m. or if a thunderstorm was on the radar, so KRISTEN HARTKE is a D.C.-based food Spotluck discounts surge during periods and beverage writer. Follow her kitchen of less demand,” says Thomas. It’s basically adventures on Twiiter, @khartke. WASHINGTONBLADE.COM LIVE 28 • APRIL 01, 2016 OUT & ABOUT UPCOMING PERFORMANCES ALL GOOD PRESENTS TURKUAZ AND KUNG FU THURSDAY MAR 31 SOUTHERN TROUBADOURS JOE ELY, RUTHIE FOSTER AND PAUL THORN By MARIAH COOPER IN-THE-ROUND FRIDAY APR 1 WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY SAT, APR 2 JUDAH & THE LION W/ THE SAINT JOHNS Miss Freddie’s contest to anoint new queen SUN, APR 3 AN EVENING WITH ABC Productions presents “A Night in Rio,” the Miss Freddie’s 2016 Pageant, at YACHT ROCK REVUE Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 South 23rd St., Crystal City, Va.) on Sunday, April 3 at 8 p.m. Pageant competition categories will be presentation, swimsuit, talent and a TUES, APR 5 THE ROOSEVELTS Q&A session. Winnings include over $400 in cash and prizes. Miss Freddies 2015 winner Gigi Paris Couture will be honored. WED, APR 6 For more details, visit freddiesbeachbar.com. POKEY LaFARGE W/ THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS

THURS, APR 7 MAVIS STAPLES W/ THE BROADCAST

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY THEHAMILTONDC.COM

Sampson’s comedic strengths

Last Resort Comedy presents out comedian Sampson McCormick at the Bier Baron Tavern (1523 22nd St., N.W.)

PHOTO COURTESY OF QQQ for a one-night only show on Friday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. McCormick’s comedy talks about religion, sexuality, life and politics. His Women’s Fest runs April 7-10 comedic style has led to appearances on BET, MTV and FOX among others. CAMP Rehoboth’s 16th annual Women’s Fest runs from Thursday, April 7 Reel Affi rmation will screen “Sampson through Sunday, April 10. McCormick: A Tough Act to Follow” at Performers this year include musician Emily Saliers from the Indigo Girls, Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode comedian Poppy Champlin (seen here), comedian Kelli Dunham, musician Island Ave., N.W.) on Friday, April 22. 730 24th St. NW, Ste. 13 • WDC 20037 Julie Felix, singer/songwriter Angel Haze and more. Women’s Fest’s keynote Single tickets for the comedy show are $12 Free ParkiNg • Foggy Bottom metro presenter is Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation. and tickets with a plus one are $20 and Lesbian entrepreneur Judy Dlugacz and speaker Laura Liswood will also include entry for two people. Tickets will 202-333-3304 make appearances. Workshops will be available on topics such as genealogy, be available at the door for $18 cash only. philosophy, lesbian dating in the real world and many more. For details, visit lastresortcomedy.com. Tickets range from $10-100. For a full list of events and ticket prices, visit camprehoboth.com. Steve Weinberg Cherry coming April 21-24 Bet Mish to hold ATTORNEY AT LAW free lecture weekend SERVING OUR COMMUNITY The Cherry Fund, a long-running HIV/AIDS dance benefi t, returns April 21- FOR 33 YEARS 24 and has attracted a wide spate of well-known DJs for its 20th anniversary Bet Mishpachah presents “Equality, festivities. This year’s theme is “Alice in Wonderland.” Diversity and Inclusion in a Post-Marriage PERSONAL INJURY • PROBATE WILLS/ POA’s • CIVIL LITIGATION Morabito and DJ Mike Babbitt spin at “Chasing the White Rabbit” at Cobalt on Equality World” next weekend. CONSERVATORSHIPS • GUARDIANSHIPS Thursday, April 21. DJ Aron and DJ Sean Morris spin at “Welcome to Wonderland” This Shabbaton weekend of free at the Howard Theatre on Friday, April 22. DJ Joe G spins at DIVA, an afternoon lectures and study will feature Rabbi tea dance, on Saturday, April 23 at Town. DJ Micky Friedmann and DJ Kenneth Laurie Green, Chai Feldblum, Rabbi Julia 202-861-0077 Riversa spin at Queen of Hearts at Town that night. DJ Isaac Escalante and DJ X Watts Belser, Dana Beyers and Harry Gonzalez spin at Down the Rabbit Hole, an after-hours party at Flash on Sunday, Samuels. It runs Friday, April 8-Sunday, 2141 P STREET NW SUITE 103 April 24. DJ Alain Jackinsky spins at the closing party “Through the Looking Glass” April 10 at the D.C. JCC at 16th and Q WASHINGTON DC 20037 at Tropicalia on Sunday, April 24. streets, N.W. Bet Mishpachah is an LGBT- E-MAIL [email protected] Weekend passes are $150. Full details at cherryfund.org. affi rming D.C. synagogue. LICENSED IN DC, MD AND VA Full details at betmish.org.

ADVERTISING PROOF PROOF #1 ISSUE DATE: 01.29.16 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: SIRIWAT PATHARAPANUPATH ([email protected])

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THOMAS DUNNE PRESS

Sweet premise not was comforting to her. But now, in the twilight of Lolly’s life, Arden felt guilty for enough to save ‘Bracelet’ not spending more time with her mother — or her daughter. Graduating with a degree is an accomplishment, but Lauren wished she could tell her mother the truth: she really wanted an art degree, not a business one. Lauren knew that her mother worried about money; Arden, come to think, worried about a lot of things, which was TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER has been reading maybe why Lauren was closer to her since she was 3 years old. She lives in Wisconsin grandmother. She and Lolly were like two with two dogs and 12,000 books. Reach her at [email protected]. peas in a pod. Like two charms on a bracelet, one of whom was quietly losing her luster. The jewelry you wear tells a story. There’s a basically good premise to the A ring on your left hand, third fi nger, says story inside “The Charm Bracelet.” Sadly, to the world that you stood up once and that story begs — pleads — for help. vowed to love and honor. A brightly colored Reading this book is rough: names are stone says you were born in a certain employed at a frequency that’s distracting month. Sparkles around your neck might and pronouns are at a premium. The tell of a vacation, an apology, or a whim, female characters “jump up and down” a lot and in the new book “The Charm Bracelet” and it seems as though somebody’s crying by Viola Shipman, the tales of three women more than they’re not. As for the male are told by the jewelry on their wrists. characters, one’s a stereotypical Mean Dad, For every milestone day that Lolly one is predictably hunky (do you see where Lindsay had, she received a special gift. this is going?), and a simple farmer-type is Her mother started the tradition by honest-to-goodness called “Clem.” giving Lolly a charm for her bracelet one I winced a lot while reading this book birthday; that charm, like each to come, and I might have ditched it were it signifi ed a dream or a wish, and was not for the aforementioned basically accompanied by a special poem meant to good premise. Author Viola Shipman (a remind Lolly that she was loved. pseudonym for memoirist Wade Rouse) Over the years, the bracelet became off ers a sweet generational family, heavy with metal and memories — the cabin-in-the-woods story told through summer before her mother died, the boy memories and jewelry, which could’ve she grew up to marry, the best friend been really cute. she cherished — and when she had a If you can overlook the fl aws and not-so- daughter, Lolly started the tradition with charm-ing facets, you might really enjoy her own little girl. this mother-daughter-granddaughter Always a pleaser, Arden was story. If those things bother you, though, exasperated with her mother. “The Charm Bracelet” is a gem that’s Even as a child, she was embarrassed awfully tarnished. by Lolly’s free-spiritedness, her sense of style and by Lolly’s idea of what was ‘THE CHARM BRACELET’ fun. As soon as she could, Arden moved By Viola Shipman Thomas Dunne Books away from her mother’s Michigan home $25.99 to live a button-down Chicago life that 298 pages WASHINGTONBLADE.COM 30 • APRIL 01, 2016 ARTS & CULTURE

THEATRE Apr 2. Embassy Experiences. Ft. HOT HITS & HIDDEN JEWELS Myers Offi cers Club. 301-519-8030. From CultureCapital.com Superman 2050. Apr 1-Apr 3. Shear embassyexperiences.com. YOUR LINK TO THE ARTS IN METRO DC Madness. Ongoing. The Kennedy Center. Alfredo Rodriguez Trio. Apr 1. 10th 202-467-4600. kennedy-center.org. Annual Men’s Chorus Invitational. The Flick. Thru Apr 24. The Mystery Apr 2. The Clarice. 301-405-2787. of Love & Sex. Apr 5-May 8. Signature claricesmithcenter.umd.edu. Theatre. 703-820-9771. Chad & Jeremy. Apr 1. Sean Watkins. signature-theatre.org. Apr 2. Robyn Hitchcock. Apr 6. Aoife Chronicle of a Death Foretold. Apr O’Donovan. Apr 7. The Barns. 7-May 8. GALA Hispanic Theatre. 877-965-3872. wolftrap.org. 202-234-7174. galatheatre.org. Vassily Primakov, piano. Apr 1. The The Nether. Apr 4-May 1. Woolly Embassy Series. Residence of the Mammoth. 202-393-3939. Russian Ambassador. 202-625-2361. woollymammoth.net. embassyseries.org. Falling Out Of Time. Thru Apr 17. FMMC Concert. Apr 3. FMMC. The Theater J. 202-518-9400. theaterj.org. Lyceum. 202-333-2075. fmmc.org. Marjorie Prime. Thru Apr 10. Dial ‘M’ Sakura Taiko Fest: Japanese Sean Dorsey Dance for Murder. Apr 6-May 1. Olney Theatre. Drumming Performance. Apr 3. Apr 2-Apr 3. Dance Place. 301-924-3400. olneytheatre.org. NCBF. Hoff Theater. 301-314-8488. 202-269-1600. danceplace.org. American Idiot. Thru Apr 9. Keegan nationalcherryblossomfestival.org. This powerful show is a love letter to a forgotten generation of survivors – Theatre. 202-265-3767. those who witnessed and experienced the loss of part of an entire generation keegantheatre.com. MUSEUMS of gay and transgender people to AIDS in the 1980s and 1990s. 110 in the Shade. Thru May 14. One Destiny. Thru May 20. Ford’s Theatre. National Gallery of Art. Louise Moment 202-347-4833. fords.org. Bourgeois: No Exit. Thru May 15. Three Thru Apr 24. Studio Theatre. 1984. Thru Apr 10. Othello. Thru Apr Centuries of American Prints. Apr 3-Jul 202-332-3300. studiotheatre.org. 2. Shakespeare Theatre Company. 24. 202-737-4215. nga.gov. In the suburbs of Dublin, a long-absent son returns home to visit his ailing Sidney Harman Hall. 202-547-1122. Folger Shakespeare Library. America’s mother. Riveting and insightful, Moment considers the slippery nature of shakespearetheatre.org. Shakespeare. Apr 7-Jul 24. folger.edu. memory and forgiveness, and how the consequences of one tragic decision can The Island of Dr. Moreau. Apr 7-Apr 9. National Archives. Amending ripple through an entire family. Theatre Lab. 202-824-0449. America. Thru Sep 4. 202-357-5000. theatrelab.org. archivesfoundation.org. Anoushka Shankar Museum of Women in the Arts. Apr 1. Washington Performing Arts & GW Lisner Auditorium. DANCE Salon Style: French Portraits from the 202-785-9727. washingtonperformingarts.org. Collection. Thru May 1. 202-783-5000. Anoushka Shankar is now a mature sitar virtuoso and renowned headline Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte nmwa.org. artist, captivating audiences worldwide with repertoire including Carlo. Apr 7. The Alden. 703-790-9223. Smithsonian Anacostia Museum. traditional Hindustani ragas and a custom blend of “world music” uniting mcleancenter.org. Twelve Years That Shook And Shaped Indian styles with jazz, fl amenco, Western classical music, electronica, and Spring 2016 Choreography Festival. Washington: 1963-1975. Thru Oct 23. other genres. Apr 1-Apr 2. Workhouse Arts Center. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu. 703-584-2900. workhousearts.org. National Portrait Gallery. Mathew The Boys in the Band Orange Grove Dance: Un castell Brady’s Photographs of Union Generals. Apr 1-Apr 16. Dominion Stage. Gunston. built for two. Apr 1-Apr 2. Joe’s Thru May 8. 202-633-8300. npg.si.edu. 571-377-4697. dominionstage.org. Movement Emporium. 301-699-1819. National Geographic. Photo Ark. Thru In his upper eastside Manhattan apartment, Michael is throwing a birthday joesmovement.org. Apr 10. Crocs. Thru May 8. 202-857-7000. party for Harold, a self-avowed “32 year-old, pock-marked, Jew fairy”, complete nglive.org. with surprise gift: “Cowboy” a street hustler. As the evening wears on, fueled by MUSIC Sandy Spring Museum. The Agrarian drugs and alcohol, bitter, unresolved resentments among the guests come to Transformed. Thru May 7. 301-774-0022. light when a game of “Truth” goes terribly wrong. Metropolitan Opera: Rising Stars. Apr sandyspringmuseum.org. 1. Seth Kibel. Apr 2. Johnny Mathis. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANCE PLACE Apr 6. Patti LaBelle. Apr 7-Apr 8. GALLERIES Strathmore. 301-581-5100. strathmore.org. The Art League Gallery. Fritz Desroches. Washington Toho Koto Society. Apr 3. Thru Apr 3. 703-683-1780. National Gallery of Art. 202-737-4215. theartleague.org. nga.gov. BlackRock. Sheldon Scott. Apr 2-Apr 23. The Felice Brothers. Apr 1. AMP. 301-528-2260. blackrockcenter.org. 301-581-5100. ampbystrathmore.com. JCCNV. Local Color and More. Thru Apr NSO: Nikolaj Znaider, conductor: 4. After the Holocaust. Apr 5-May 19. Benjamin Grosvenor, piano. Apr 7-Apr 703-323-0880. jccnv.org. 9. NSO: Cristian Macelaru, conductor: District Architecture Center. Hany Nikolaj Znaider, violin. Thru Apr 2. Hassan, FAIA. Thru May 7. 202-347-9403. Get Out More! The Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. aiadac.com. kennedy-center.org. Embassy of Japan-Japan Information Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass. Apr 2-Apr 3. and Culture Center. Exhibition on National Philharmonic. Strathmore. Japanese Kogei – Metalwork, Ceramics, 301-581-5100. nationalphilharmonic.org. Glass & Lacquerware. Apr 5-May 6. Emerson String Quartet. Apr 3. TSA. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org. Museum of Natural History. Fisher Art Gallery. Jessica Kallista. Thru 202-633-3030. Apr 24. 703-534-5726. smithsonianassociates.org. schlesingercenter.com. Back to the 80’s Dinner and Dance. WASHINGTONBLADE.COM APRIL 01, 2016 • 31

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SALES BY DEVELOPED BY 5130 Wisconsin Ave. NW • DC • (202) 966-6400 • www.JosephGawlers.com

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REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of REVISIONS the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is REDESIGN responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or TEXT REVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, NO REVISIONS or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule. and warranties.

ADVERTISING PROOF PROOF #2 ISSUE DATE: 03.20.15 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: PHIL ROCKSTROH ([email protected])

REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of REVISIONS the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is REDESIGN responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or TEXT REVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, NO REVISIONS or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule. and warranties. WASHINGTONBLADE.COM 32 • APRIL 01, 2016 CALENDAR

E-mail calendar items to calendars@washblade. loving men of color are invited to read or com two weeks prior to your event. Space is lim- ited so priority is given to LGBT-specifi c events recite their own works or prose and poetry or those with LGBT participants. Recurring or the works of someone else. For more events must be re-submitted each time. details, search “BRUHS” on Facebook. TUESDAY, APRIL 5 TODAY Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) Artists & Makers Studios (11810 hosts its weekly FUK!T Packing Party from Parklawn Dr., Rockville, Md.) presents 7-9 p.m. tonight. For more details, visit the opening reception for “Finding thedccenter.org or greenlanterndc.com. My Own Voice Inaugural Victims’ SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) hosts a Rights Art Exhibit” tonight from 6-9 transgender and non-binary support p.m. Paintings, drawings, mixed media group today from 5-7 p.m. For more art, writings, sculpture and more details, visit smyal.org. from survivors of crime and those Bachelor’s Mill has half-price drinks aff ected by crime will be featured. from 5 p.m.-2 a.m. tonight. They also The exhibit runs through Wednesday, have pool, video gaming systems and April 28. For more information, visit cards. Admission is free. For more details, artistsandmakersstudios.com. visit bachelorsmill.com. NOVA Gay and Lesbian Professionals hosts an LGBT social event at Pinzimini WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 Restaurant at the West Arlington Gateway (801 N Glebe Rd., Arlington, Va.) tonight Team Rayceen presents “The Ask from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The social is open Rayceen Show” at Martin Luther King to various LGBT professionals, allies and Library (901 G St., N.W.) tonight at 6 p.m. their friends. Guests are asked to bring There will be a mini ball with categories travel-sized unused soaps, shampoos such as best dressed, vogueing with and lotions to donate to A-SPAN, an a prop, runway, female face, butch organization that provides services for realness and more. DJ Vjuan Allure will Arlington’s homeless. For more details, play music for the ball. Live music will be visit facebook.com/gogaydc. by musician Durell Arthur and there will Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) be a special performance by Usagi Bum host Otter Crossing tonight at 10 p.m. DJ Bum. Rayceen Pendarvis hosts the event Tommy Cornelis will spin tracks. Smirnoff and Curt Mariah will be the announcer. drinks are $5. Cover is $5. For more Admission is free. For more details, visit information, visit greenlanterndc.com. facebook.com/askrayceen. Butch Queen, a gay dance party, is at The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Tropicalia (2001 14th St., N.W.) at 10 p.m. Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the DJ Kris Sutton and DJ Sam Blodgett will Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for social play hip-hop, house, ‘90s music, vogue bridge. No partner needed. For more house and more. Admission is free. For PHOTO BY KARL SIMONE information, call 301-345-1571. more details, search “Butch Queen DC” SMYAL hosts an open mic night today on Facebook. LYNDA CARTER returns to the Kennedy Center with a new show Saturday night. from 5-7 p.m. Gay youth can come to A LGB support group meets today talk openly about the issues they face from 10-11:30 a.m. at 16220 S. Frederick more information, visit facebook.com/ from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $24.95 with their sexual orientation or gender Rd., Gaithersburg, Md., for individuals capitolimprov. for an all-you-can-eat buff et. For more identity. For more information, visit in Montgomery County. The group “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Robbie details, visit perrysadamsmorgan.com. smyal.org. will discuss coming out of marriage, Turner performs at Town (2009 8th St., Nellies Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts a homophobia, parenting issues, fi nding N.W.) tonight at 10:30 p.m. Doors open at drag brunch today with one show at 10:30 THURSDAY, APRIL 7 intimate relationships, LGB resources 10 p.m. Cover is $12. Tickets for premium a.m. and another at 12:30 p.m. For more in the suburbs and more. For more seats and a meet and greet are $20. information, visit nelliessportsbar.com. Legendary songstress Patti LaBelle information, visit thedccenter.org. Doors for the meet and greet open at 9 gives a two-night performance at Music p.m. For more details, visit towndc.com. MONDAY, APRIL 4 Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman SATURDAY, APRIL 2 Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) presents Ln., North Bethesda, Md.) tonight at 8 Funkytown, a ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s dance The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) p.m. and Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer party, tonight at 10 p.m. DJ Ed Bailey hosts coff ee drop-in hours this morning range from $65-150. For more details, organization, volunteers for Food and will spin tracks. Cover is $12. For more from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT visit Strathmore.org. Friends (219 Riggs Rd., N.E.) today from information, visit towndc.com. community. Older LGBT adults can Team D.C. hosts its Spring Sportsfest 8-10 a.m. Volunteers will chop vegetables Lynda Carter performs her new show come and enjoy complimentary coff ee at Room and Board (1840 14th St., N.W.) and pack groceries. To volunteer, email “Long-Legged Woman” at the Kennedy and conversation with other community tonight from 6-8:30 p.m. Come learn [email protected]. For Center (2700 F St., N.W.) in the Terrace members. For more information, visit about local LGBT and LGBT-friendly sports more details, visit burgundycrescent.org. Theatre tonight at 7 p.m. Carter will give a thedccenter.org. teams such as Triathlon, bowling, running, Capitol Improv hosts International cabaret performance of jazz, country, blues Us Helping Us (3636 Georgia Ave., softball, volleyball, football and many more. Pillow Fight Day today at 3 p.m. on the and original music. Her backing band will N.W.) holds a support group for gay black For more information, visit teamdc.org. National Mall (900 Ohio Dr., S.W.) meeting include Paul Leim and Blue Lou Marini. men to discuss topics that aff ect them, Gamma MD, a support group for men in the small park at the northwest corner Tickets range from $25-75. For more share perspectives and have meaningful in mixed-orientation relationships, meets of Independence and 14th Streets information, visit kennedy-center.org. conversations. For details, visit uhupil.org. today from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 25 E 2nd St., between 14th and 15th streets. Bring BRUHS, a literary club for same-gender Frederick, Md. The group is for men who pillows to swing but down pillows are SUNDAY, APRIL 3 loving men of color, hosts Prose, Bros are attracted to men but are currently or discouraged. The event is all ages but and Homos, a poetry gathering, at Martin were at one point in a relationship with a children are recommended to stay Perry’s (1811 Columbia Rd., N.W.) hosts Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St., woman. For more information about the outside of the main pillow crowd. For its weekly Sunday drag brunch today N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. Same-gender group and location, visit gammaindc.org. WASHINGTONBLADE.COM APRIL 01, 2016 • 33

Deep Creek Lake Maryland...Come to the Good Life™ Only 3 hours from DC Metro area. A four season resort offering the maximum to those who enjoy the outdoors, tranquility or who value down time from busy lives. Affordable homes for your vacation and/or rental income. Most properties are high income producing rentals used for personal use as well as rental use. Our huge freshwater lake, Wisp Ski Resort, 7 State Parks, Watefalls, Rivers, and mountain trails offering something for everyone no matter which season. No traffic, live music, hopping bars and restaurants, historical attractions and more! Contact me if you would like an information package, map, or additional information about the lake or properties for sale. There are excellent buys here from $150k - $3m. We have something for everyone. Lakefront, Lake Views, Lake Area or beautiful nearby small farms, Bed and Breakfasts, or Commercial space. Come to the good life. Come to Deep Creek Lake.

2443 MARSH HILL RD. • $1,600,000 815 CHADDERTON SCHOOL RD. • $899,000 357 MOUNTAINTOP RD. • $750,000 39 BARBARA’S WAY • $449,000 Entertainer’s delight! Fabulous 8,600 sq. ft. lakefront Remarkable lakefront home with fantastic lake views 5 beds, 3.5 baths perched high up on the hill with Located just minutes from WISP slopes, golf course, and estate on approx. 1 acre. 5 beds, 7 baths. A must see! from most every room in the home. 5 beds, 3.5 baths spectacular views! Private community near lake the lake. 5 beds, 3 baths, private community near lake. on over an acre. with private lake access.

145 SILVER TREE LN. • $445,000 24 SKI HARBOR DR. • $385,000 247 WINDING TRAIL LN. #6B • $378,000 2849 BUMBLE BEE RD. • $369,900 Lakefront community next to marina, restaurant and TH close to everything Ski Harbor has indoor pool, Gorgeous TH in private community near the lake. Over Perfect serenity on 50 acres very close to the lake, nearby amenities. 5 beds, 4 baths shows beautifully! tennis court, docks and is lake front. 3 beds, 2.5 baths. 3,300 sq. ft. of open living space. 5 beds, 4.5 baths, WISP Ski Resort, and other amenities. Cute house 3 great location. beds, 1 bath, barn, pond, pastures, lovely views.

30 SILVER RIDGE CT. • $328,800 14 HIDDEN VALLEY LN. • $299,000 20160 GARRETT HWY • Call for Prices 214 I ST. • $94,900 Silver Ridge is located near movies, store, restaurants, Darling house with 5 beds, 3 baths in lake community We have several condominiums, fireplaces, lake front Lovely 3 bed, 1.5 bath Victorian loaded with stained and night life. Great community across from the lake. 4 with tons of amenities! Adjacent to public golf course, with boat slips, beach, restaurant, by movies, night life, glass, carved wood, and all you would expect in a turn beds, 3 baths, shows beautifully. docks, play area, and more! You’ll love it. and more. 1, 2 & 3 bedroom units are for sale. of the century restored home. Large corner lot in town.

Would you like to build your own home? There are many lots for sale from which to choose. Whether it’s on top of the mountain next to Lodestone Golf Course (a Hale Irwin course), at the ski slopes of Wisp Resort, something with lake views or lake front, we can help. Our team of seasoned agents can help you identify a property, building lot, land or farm that suits your needs – and your dreams. Come to Deep Creek Lake and experience the outdoors all four seasons. And enjoy one of the many State Parks, campgrounds, or historical sites that surround the lake area. Trek up to nearby Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Casino to try your hand or have dinner lakeside at one of our many restaurants here. There’s more to do here than the beach, less traffic, and more seasons of use. Come and visit. Come and stay. You’ll love owning a second home here. Call now or send me an email to receive a free map of the lake area, information packet and list of homes, lots, land or farms. You choose.

Delaine Campbell, REALTOR® Associate Broker, GRI®

301-830-6309 • 800-842-0716 • delainesdeepcreek.com • [email protected] Coldwell Banker Deep Creek Realty • 24439 Garrett Hwy • McHenry, MD • 301-387-5303

ADVERTISING PROOF PROOF #1 ISSUE DATE: 03.25.16 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS ([email protected])

REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date REVISIONS of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible REDESIGN for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or any rgihts of third TEXT REVISIONS parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair competition, IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right NO REVISIONS of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) and ADVERTISER SIGNATURE to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all liability, loss, damages, By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred by brown naff pitts washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties. payment and insertion schedule. 34 • APRIL 01, 2016 WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

exceeding expectations – it’s what we do!

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BRIAN S HONG JERY D BEAMER 703.929.5764 703.929.5763 [email protected] [email protected]

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414 n. roYaL street 2212 white oaKs drive aLexandria va 22314 aLexandria, va 22306 $795,000 $1,200,000

OPEN HOUSE, SUN. 1-4PM COMING SOON

Gibbon Model 3BR/2.5BA End Townhouse with new tile foyer, gleaming hardwoods on main level. Kitchen with Extraordinary renovation/transformation of this unique home. granite counters. Gas FP in living area of open floor plan Over $400,000 in structural and designer renovations on main level. Upper one level features Master suite with two levels. All new Italian made Pendini kitchen with custom two huge walk in closets and luxury bathroom with new teak cabinetry -Top-of-the-line Miele microwave, oven, white Carrera granite countertop. Laundry room on MB built-in espresso maker, dishwasher as well as a Subzero level. Upper 2 features two good size bedrooms and hall refrigerator. All new master bath with top-of-the-line German bath with new white Carrera granite countertop. Fresh made fixtures. Custom 100 year old reclaimed Indonesian paint in bedrooms. 2 garage spaces at your door. teak bed and headboard. The list goes on and on.

7501 caLderon court unit d 520 John carYLYLe street 314 5101e BacKLicK road #29 403 princess street aLexandria va 22306 aLexandria, va 22314 aLexandria, va 22310 aLexandria, va 22314 $224,990 $2,100 $530,000 $1,100,000

CURRENT CURRENT COMING SOON RENTAL

2 story all brick townhouse condo for 1 large business Drop dead gorgeous Chatham Square Jefferson Bright 1 Bedroom Bath Condo for rent. Floor to or set up as 2 separate business spaces. Lower lvll Ground floor two bedroom/two bath condo just outside Model with custom office built-ins. Hardwoods on ceiling windows in living dining area. Luxurious with reception area and 3 offices/conference rooms. beltway. Gas Fireplace. Full size washer and dryer in main level, beautifully maintained, great kitchen contemporary bath. Contemporary kitchen with Upper lvl with reception area and 3 office/conference unit. Assigned parking and guest and street parking. rooms. Storage and BA on each level. Plenty free with living and dining area. Upper 2 level features stainless steel, granite. Open Floor plan. Hardwood unassigned parking. Convenient location, on Backlick bedroom, bathroom, open area and outdoor terrace. Community center, swimming pool and tot lot. Close to floors, cement ceilings for that “industrial look”. and near Braddock intersection. EZ access restau- 2 car garage parking in OLD TOWN!!! shopping, restaurants and public transportation. Washer and Dryer in Unit. Garage parking. rants, shopping, 395/495/FFX Parkway.

3820 9th street, n, unit 703e 925 h street, nw, unit 511 803 howard street, unit 235 525 n. faYette street, unit 406 arLington, va 22203 washington, dc 20001 aLexandria, va aLexandria, va 22314 $2,500/month $2,900/$3,200 $295,000 $585,000

RENTAL RENTAL CURRENT COMING SOON

Bright 2BR/2BA in luxury building. Three sided gas fire- Gorgeous courtyard side 2 bedroom two bath Condo Exquisite one bedroom home in the best location Spacious 1334 sf 2BR/2BA condo at the Plaza. Unit is in place in living/dining areas. Master bedroom has large close proximity to pool, tennis courts, its own huge park- at the revitalized Henry Condominium. New Stranded closets. Master bath features whirlpool tub. Washer and in town. Beautiful finishes throughout. Bosch ap- ing space and large storage bin. Master bedroom features Bamboo flooring throughout (except baths). New light dryer in unit. Open kitchen. Great parking space. Extra pliances. Washer and dryer in unit. Lots of storage. a large walk-in closet, en-suite bath, and has its own bal- fixtures. Fresh paint. Custom Closets. New Stackable storage. Great building amenities, gym, outdoor pool, grill- Lovely hardwood floors. Unbelievable amenities at cony. The second good sized bedroom has a large closet LG Washer and Dryer. 2 convenient garage parking ing area. Your choice of Ballston or Virginia Square Met- City Center. Balcony. You just can’t beat the location. as well with the bath just across the hall. Public transpor- spaces. Restaurants and metro almost at your door. ros. Shopping, dining and lots of entertainment nearby. Furnished or unfurnished. tation, hospital, shopping and restaurants nearby.

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OLD TOWN HISTORIC GEORGETOWN SALES 400 KING STREET 1680 WISCONSIN AVENUE NW ALEXANDRIA VA 22314 WASHINGTON DC 20007 703.683.0400 202.944.8400

ADVERTISING PROOF PROOF #1 ISSUE DATE: 04.01.16 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS ([email protected])

REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date REVISIONS of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible REDESIGN for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or any rgihts of third TEXT REVISIONS parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair competition, IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right NO REVISIONS of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) and ADVERTISER SIGNATURE to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all liability, loss, damages, By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred by brown naff pitts washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties. payment and insertion schedule. WASHINGTONBLADE.COM APRIL 01, 2016 • 35

LEGAL Oops! Are you accidentally married?

Common law marriage in a state’s public policy. the District of Columbia Nine states and the District of Colum- bia allow common law marriages to form within their jurisdiction and afford those By EVA N. JUNCKER & common law marriages the same rights EMILY NEUHAUSEN as marriages entered into with a mar- riage license. Certain jurisdictions require Common law marriage can be a con- a couple to live together for a certain pe- fusing concept, and it has gradually been riod of time, to hold themselves out as disappearing as states limit or end com- married, for them to have a reputation mon law marriage, if they ever allowed as married, to obtain a certificate indicat- it at all. Common law marriage tends to ing they are common law married, or to arise in a legal dispute for purposes of di- consummate the marriage. Some states, vorce or when someone dies. Individuals in limiting common law marriages, also often wonder whether being together for only recognize common law marriage for a certain period of time, or holding them- probate purposes – not for purposes of selves out as married, makes a couple dissolving such a marriage. common law married. And the answer is, In the District of Columbia, common law You don’t need a wedding ring to establish a common law marriage in D.C. it depends. marriage is recognized by case law, not by In two of the jurisdictions in which the any statute. The District is one of the easi- But there are lots of elements that go into trict of Columbia? Do you think you may Zavos Juncker Law Group practices law, est jurisdictions in which to become com- what that moment meant. And whether be common law married in the District Maryland and Virginia, common law mar- mon law married. Common law marriage the couple uses terms like “spouse” or of Columbia? Please give us a call. Being riage is not recognized as a type of mar- requires two elements to form in the Dis- “husband” or “wife” can be part of that common law married can have critical ef- riage that can be created within state or trict – express mutual agreement to be consideration, as well as how they act fects on you and your spouse for estate commonwealth borders. However, be- married per verba praesenti and cohabi- or hold themselves out. Of note, these planning purposes, dissolution of the cause of the Full Faith and Credit Clause tation. Cohabitation is the easier of the concepts apply even if they are a same- marriage, including alimony and property of the United States Constitution, Mary- two elements to prove, and unlike other sex couple. Within the LGBT community rights, and other issues. land and Virginia, as well as other U.S. common law jurisdictions, there is no re- specifically, District couples that had a jurisdictions, will afford full and faith and quirement for how long the couple must commitment ceremony many years ago, credit to a valid common law marriage cohabitate. Express mutual agreement is or even just exchanged private promises Eva N. Juncker is a partner and Emily Neu- properly entered into in a jurisdiction trickier to establish. There needs to be a to be wed, may very well be common law hausen an associate at Zavos Juncker Law Group, PLLC, a law firm practicing family law where those marriages are permitted, moment in time that can be identified as married and not realize it. in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Reach them via unless such a marriage is strongly against when the couple agreed to be married. Are, or were, you a resident of the Dis- zavosjunckerlawgroup.com.

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ENTHUSIASTICALLY SERVING DC & VIRGINIA 36 • APRIL 01, 2016 WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

Meet Mike

Mike Brown has nearly 30 years of experience in sales, marketing and business negotiations, and he has been a licensed real estate professional since 1986. Previously, he was a residential lender for more than eight years with nationally ranked top-five firm.

Mike offers his sellers and buyers an exceptional cross- industry knowledge and experience so they can make intelligent and well-informed decisions. His greatest passion and achievement is providing tangible results for his clients.

A local resident for almost 40 years, Mike currently lives in Washington, DC. He was born and grew up overseas with his parents, who were C.I.A. officers. “If I wasn’t a real estate agent, I’d be a secret agent,” he likes to say. Mike earned his bachelor’s degree from George Mason University.

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1803 14th St, NW | Washington, DC 20009 202.903.2200

ARLINGTON N. Me TRO & W e STOV e R VILLAG e! $725,000

Just Listed! 1116 N. OHiO stReet Expanded 3 bedroom, 3 bath Colonial nestled on a lovely garden lot in North Arlington’s popular Madison Manor neighborhood. Enjoy 1,999 base square feet, an updated kitchen, formal living and dining rooms plus a main level sunroom and a fantastic master bedroom addition with ensuite bath, handsome fireplace, sun drenched exposure, replacement windows, charming curved archway, fresh paint, new carpet and flooring, generous upper level bedrooms and a fully finished lower level. All just steps to the bike trail and extensive neighborhood park as well as being conveniently located within close OpeN SuNdAy 1-4pM proximity to EFC Metro and the vibrant Westover Village. dAVe LLOYd & AssOCiAtes 4701 Old Dominion Drive • Arlington, VA 22207 703-593-3204 • WWW.dAVeLOYd.Net

Julie Andrews on Micro Apartments: “All I want is a room somewhere far away from the cold night air.”

VALERIE M. BLAKE, Associate Broker, GRI Dupont Circle Office • 202.243.7700 (o) • 202.246.8602 (c) [email protected] • www.DCHomeQuest.com

ADVERTISING PROOF PROOF #1 ISSUE DATE: 02.26.16 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: SIRIWAT PATHARAPANUPATH ([email protected])

REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts REVISIONS omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is REDESIGN responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or TEXT REVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE NO REVISIONS washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule. and warranties.

ADVERTISING PROOF PROOF #1 ISSUE DATE: 04.01.16 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS ([email protected])

REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of REVISIONS the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is REDESIGN responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or TEXT REVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, NO REVISIONS or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule. and warranties.

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REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts REVISIONS omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is REDESIGN responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or TEXT REVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE NO REVISIONS washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule. and warranties. DEADLINES All Classified Ads SUMMER IN REHOBOTH? - Including Regular & Adult - GET YOUR SHARE LINED UP! Must Be Received SHARE ADS ARE FREE. By Mondays at 5PM Place your housing to share So They Can Be Included ad online at washingtonblade.com in That Week’s Edition of and the ad prints free in the paper and online.* Washington Blade and *25 words or less prints free - anything more is $1/word. washingtonblade.com

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM APRIL 01, 2016 • 37

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