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EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Randy Shulman

APRIL 23, 2015

Volume 21 / Issue 50

ART DIRECTOR
Todd Franson
NEWS & BUSINESS EDITOR
John Riley

NEWS

10

ASSISTANT EDITOR
Rhuaridh Marr

12

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Doug Rule
SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ward Morrison, Julian Vankim

SCENE

14

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

18

EQUALITY VAS 12TH ANNUAL

COMMONWEALTH DINNER
photography by Ward Morrison

FEATURES

20

24

OUT ON THE TOWN

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Dennis Havrilla

28

DAME EDNA
by Randy Shulman

PUBLISHER
Randy Shulman

NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE

Rivendell Media Co.
212-242-6863

LIFE SAVERS
by John Riley

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Julian Vankim

BRAND STRATEGY & MARKETING

Christopher Cunetto
Cunetto Creative

UNIQUELY ALEX
by Doug Rule

WEBMASTER
David Uy

SALES & MARKETING

FIGHTING FOR RECOGNITION

by John Riley

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR
Scott G. Brooks
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Christian Gerard, Troy Petenbrink,
Kate Wingfield

CONTENTIOUS CONTENDERS
by Rhuaridh Marr

30

CHRISTOPHER DURANG
by Randy Shulman

FOOD

35

HANKS OYSTER BAR

by Doug Rule

TECH

37

SONY Z4
by Rhuaridh Marr

HOME

39

POCKET GARDEN
by Doug Rule

PATRON SAINT
Tyler Clementi

NIGHTLIFE

43

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Ricky Middlesworth

photography by Ward Morrison

SCENE

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CHERRY GRAVITY AT
THE HOWARD THEATRE

50

GRAND OPENING OF
ROCK HARD SUNDAYS AT
THE HOUSE NIGHTCLUB
photography by Ward Morrison

SCENE

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TOWN AND COUNTRY AT TOWN

photography by Christopher Cunetto

54

LAST WORD

METROWEEKLY.COM

APRIL 23, 2015

LGBT

News
Contentious Contenders
Now online at MetroWeekly.com

X-Mens Iceman comes out in new comic

Reba sounds off in favor of marriage equality

Ten potential Republican presidential candidates and their varying views

on LGBT rights
by Rhuaridh Marr

10

APRIL 23, 2015

METROWEEKLY.COM

GAGE SKIDMORE

HE GRANITE STATE, AND

its 1.3 million inhabitants,
enjoy something of an overinflated sense of self worth
every four years. Each Presidential election cycle, parties both left and right
descend on New Hampshire to pander to
its residents, eager to sell their policies,
personalities and political ambitions to
voters. New Hampshires status as the
first stop on each partys primary election
tour of America is so coveted, ensuring it
remains so is enshrined in state law. That
it also brings with it hefty doses of political backhanding, bickering and, in the
case of the a recent Republican gathering
in the state, all-out war against opponents is merely icing on the granite cake.
Over the weekend, at the elegantly
titled First-in-the-Nation Republican
Leadership Summit a fundraiser organized by the states Republican denomination nineteen potential candidates
for the GOP presidential ticket took to
the stage. Political heavyweights stood
alongside fresh-faced newcomers, all
eager to appeal to conservative voters,
the middle class, and those tasked with
sealing their fates: the New Hampshire
electorate. What did it entail? Good, ol
fashioned Clinton and Obama bashing,
of course. Taking jabs at the current
president and the presumptive nominee
for the Democrats, Republican hopefuls
tackled the economy, foreign policy and
social issues.
Perhaps expectedly, LGBT issues
werent on the cards, though the issue
wasnt too far from the minds of candidates. Hillary Clinton recently confirmed
that she fully supports same-sex marriage from a constitutional standpoint, so
it now falls to the GOP to convince LGBT
voters that they can in any way appeal to
them (Log Cabin Republicans notwith-

(L-R top) - Bush, Christie, Cruz, Fiorina, Huckabee (L-R bottom) Jindal, Paul, Perry, Rubio, Walker

standing). Unfortunately, for the majority who took to the stage, appeasing gays
couldnt be any further from their to-do
lists. With that in mind, weve broken
down ten of the most prominent (read:
electable) GOP contenders and their personal views on LGBT matters.
JEB BUSH The third Bush hoping to take

the White House, Jeb hasnt announced

hes running, but, like Clinton, its pretty
much assumed. Bush has a rocky history
with LGBT rights. Writing in the Miami
Herald in 2004, he argued that gay people,
or sodomy, shouldnt be elevated to
the same constitutional status as race and
religion. Still, hes softened of late. He
now supports anti-discrimination measures for sexual orientation, and when
Floridas ban on same-sex marriage was
ruled unconstitutional by a federal court,
he took a balanced view on the matter.
We live in a democracy, and regardless
of our disagreements, we have to respect
the rule of law, he said. I hope that we
can show respect for the good people

on all sides of the gay and lesbian marriage issue. Another clue that Bush may
be evolving on LGBT issues? His campaign staff apparently includes several
pro-gay rights Republicans, according to
Buzzfeed.
CHRIS CHRISTIE New Jerseys Governor,
whos battled Bridgegate, Hurricane
Sandy and numerous barbed comments
about his weight, has a mixed history on supporting the gay community.
As governor, in 2013 he approved New
Jerseys ban on gay conversion therapy
for minors, and told CNN in 2011 that
he believes homosexuality is innate. If
someone is born that way, its very difficult to say then that thats a sin, he
said. Still, when it comes to marriage,
Christie is happy to toe the religious
and party line. After his state was forced
to recognize same-sex marriages by a
federal court in 2013, Christie accepted
the ruling, but when the Supreme Court
declined to hear arguments on same-sex
marriage laws last year clearing the

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LGBTNews
way for dozens of states to legalize it
he objected. I do not believe that this is
something that should be imposed from
the United States Supreme Court down
to the states, he said, instead preferring
that it be left to the states to decide.
TED CRUZ The Tea Party darling and
Texas Senator loathes gay people and
their insatiable quest for equal recognition under the law. He believes being
gay is a choice, that marriage should
be restricted to heterosexual couples,
called the Supreme Courts decision to
allow federal decisions supporting samesex marriage to stand tragic and indefensible, and described the desire for
marriage equality as heartbreaking
while trying to gain support for his State
Marriage Defense Act, which would prohibit federal agencies from recognizing
same-sex marriages in states where they
arent yet legal. Cruz in the White House
would be catastrophic for gay rights.
CARLY FIORINA If you havent heard of
the former HP CEO, youre not alone.
In a recent CNN poll, just two percent
supported her should she decide to run
for the countrys highest office. Fiorina
has zero experience in public office, and
her tenure at HP saw her called one of
Americas worst CEOs by CBS, CNBC and
USA Today not the best background
for running a country. What about the
gay community? I do believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, but
also have been consistent and clear that
I support civil unions for gay and lesbian
couples, she said in 2010, according to
Huffington Post. She also supported the
repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell. However,
she voted for Proposition 8, opposes
ENDA, and told The Christian Post in
February that she believes a Supreme
Court decision on same-sex marriage is
the worst thing [they] can do right now.
MIKE HUCKABEE I feel homosexuality
is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle. Those remarks, from an AP questionnaire in 1992, say all there is to know
about the man who signed Arkansas
same-sex marriage ban into law while
governor, opposes gay adoption, compared gay people to drug users and those
who practice incest in an interview with
a New Jersey student publication, and
told CNN this year that he tolerates
same-sex people in the same way he does
those who drink and curse.

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BOBBY JINDAL In Louisiana, where the

majority still oppose same-sex marriage,

the governors views on the matter should
surprise no one. I do believe marriage is
between a man and a woman, Jindal
told the Washington Examiner last year.
Im not a weather vane on this issue and
Im not going to change my position.
Thatll be that, then.
RAND PAUL I dont think Ive ever used
the word gay rights, because I dont really
believe in rights based on your behavior,
said the Libertarian conservative and Tea
Party supporter Rand Paul, Senator from
Kentucky, in a video interview unearthed
by Buzzfeed. Curiously, however, Paul
opposed a nationwide ban on same-sex
marriage, telling Bloomberg in 2013 that
he believes it should be left to the states to
decide. This year, he told CNN that he supported contracts between same-sex people, separate from marriage, which would
allow equal treatment under the law.
RICK PERRY Lets ignore Perrys obviously anti-gay politics, including defending Texas anti-sodomy law before it was
struck down, supporting the Scouts ban
on gay members, and generally opposing
same-sex marriage, and instead focus on
a somewhat prescient statement he made
in his 2010 book Fed Up! Gay marriage
will soon be the policy of the United
States.... because judges will declare it
so, he wrote. In February, this year, a
federal judge struck down his states ban
on same-sex marriage it now awaits an
appeal by Perry and his attorney general
to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

LGBT parents a social experiment,

according to HRC. Not such an oddity,
after all.
SCOTT WALKER Not one to be outdone

by a young upstart like Rubio, Walker

announced to MSNBC last week that he
had attended the wedding reception of
a gay family member. Note, however,
that he didnt attend the wedding itself,
and stated my position on marriage is
still that its defined between a man and
a woman. Wisconsins Governor also
sought to defend his states ban on samesex marriage as federal courts tore it
down and supported Indianas religious
freedom law, even though his own state
has fairly robust anti-gay discrimination laws. Indeed, in an interview with
conservative radio show Insight 2015,
Walker saw gay people who faced
being refused service in Indiana because
of their sexuality as chronically looking for ways to be upset about things.
Inequality tends to make people upset,
Governor. l

Fighting for
Recognition
Status of LGBT student groups may
be headed for a court fight after
Congress decides not to pursue
overturn of D.C. bill

by John Riley

MARCO RUBIO Floridas freshman

Senator is an oddity, initially. Spouting

Obama-aping rhetoric as he makes his
case for President, the staunchly conservative Rubio doesnt think same-sex marriage is a constitutional right and believes
states should regulate it. However, he
told CBS that he isnt against gay marriage, but believes it should be between
a man and a woman. He told Fusion this
month that he would attend the samesex marriage of a relative or staffer, saying Im not going to hurt them simply
because I disagree with a choice theyve
made, clarifying to CBS that he believes
sexual preference is something that people are born with. However, Rubio isnt
going to wave a pride flag anytime soon.
He opposed ENDA, supported DOMA,
told Fox News he approves of religious
freedom laws, and called children of

HIS WEEK SIGNIFIED A VICtory for CUAllies, the unofficial

LGBT campus group at The
Catholic University of America. But
whether the group and its allies in the
larger LGBT community have won the
war, or merely a minor skirmish, remains
unknown for the time being.
CUAllies has been seeking official recognition from the university, which was
founded on Roman Catholic principles,
for the past decade. Although the university had an officially recognized LGBT
group from the 1980s through the early
2000s, newer generations of administrators have resisted attempts to allow
such a group to reconstitute in an official
capacity.
Now, by dint of a failure to act by

Congress, CUAllies hopes it has gained

the upper hand against the administration in its struggle to be recognized.
The reason? A bill recently passed by
the D.C. Council last December, known
as the Human Rights Amendment Act.
That bill, which was signed into law by
Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) earlier this
year, amends the Districts longstanding
and comprehensive Human Rights Act
by eliminating a provision that exempted
religiously-affiliated educational institutions from having to abide by nondiscrimination provisions in the Human
Rights Act that pertain to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Known as the Armstrong Amendment,
the exemption had been forced upon the
District by Congress in 1989, in response
to a 1987 appeals court decision that ruled
that Georgetown University, another
Catholic educational institution, had violated the Human Rights Act by denying
equal treatment to a gay student group.
It states that schools or universities
affiliated with major religions may deny,
restrict, abridge, or condition the use of
any fund, service, facility, or benefit, or
the granting of any endorsement, approval, or recognition to groups engaged in
the promotion of homosexuality.
By removing the Armstrong
Amendment, the D.C. Council stoked the
ire of conservative groups and lawmakers in Congress, with Sens. Ted Cruz
(R-Tx.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.)
introducing a resolution of disapproval in the Senate, and U.S. Rep. Vicki
Hartzler (R-Mo.) introducing a similar
measure in the House of Representatives.
Because D.C. laws are subject to congressional review, a resolution is essentially
a backdoor tactic by which Congress can
attempt to overturn a law it dislikes.
But on Friday, April 17, the hopes of
social conservatives successfully overturning the Council bill appeared to
have been extinguished when the House
Oversight and Government Reform
Committee, which oversees District
affairs, announced it would not mark up
Hartzlers resolution. Although the resolution would likely have failed to garner
the necessary signatures, including that
of President Barack Obama (D), Fridays
announcement essentially meant that,
at least for now, the amended Human
Rights Act would stay in place, sans the
exemption for religious schools.
Following Congresss decision,
Natasha Backman, a graduating senior
at Catholic and the head of CUAllies,

expressed hope that the prohibition on

discrimination would encourage university administrators to work more collaboratively to reach an understanding
with CUAllies as to its official status and
ability to access university resources.
Backman isnt naive she pointed out
that university administrators at Catholic
have relished being confrontational and
are quick to react to any perceived slight
or action that they feel defies Church
teaching and nor has she taken any
options off the table when it comes to
legal action.
CUAllies broached the idea of working with the lawyer who successfully
argued the 1987 Georgetown case to
help the CUAllies achieve its ultimate
goal of official recognition. Backman
believes CUA should follow the example
of Georgetown, which, in the years following its loss in the lawsuit, has become
more tolerant and willing to embrace
LGBT rights without betraying the
schools core Catholic beliefs.
Backman isnt the only one willing
to reserve the option of a court fight.
In an op-ed titled Disagreement is
not discrimination, which appeared
in The Washington Post last weekend,
Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop
of Washington, and John Garvey, the
president of The Catholic University of
America, argued that they believe they
are in the right and should not be forced
to give equal time or resources to groups
whose mission is opposed to Catholic
teaching.
[The Human Rights Amendment law]
says that religious institutions are guilty
of discrimination against gay and lesbian
student groups if...they deny them the
same rights and facilities as other officially recognized student groups, Wuerl
and Garvey wrote. [I]t seems peculiar to
say that the church discriminates, in some
morally objectionable way, by declining
to give official support to groups that hold
views opposed to its own.
While Wuerl and Garveys op-ed was
sent to press prior to the OGR committees announcement that it would
not pursue a resolution of disapproval,
Catholic University was still standing by
the sentiment previously penned by its
president, raising the specter of a drawnout legal fight.
We do not expect to change our policies regardless of the fate of the resolution of disapproval, though of course
we very much support its passage,
CUAs spokesman, Victor Nakas, said in

a statement. We believe that the First

Amendment would protect us against
enforcement of the D.C. Councils new
law.... If this matter ends up in the courts,
we expect to prevail.
Ryan T. Anderson, who specializes
marriage and religious liberty at the
conservative think tank The Heritage
Foundation, suggested that the schools
would prevail in court even if Congress
did not take action. He feels both the First
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and
the 1993 federal version of the Religious
Freedom Restoration Act still apply to
the District, meaning they would trump
any local laws passed by the D.C. Council.
I dont know what OGR will or wont
do, Anderson says. But any movement
committed to liberty needs to understand
and protect the religious liberty of private religious schools.
Citing a previous policy brief he had
written covering ways to respond to the
HRAA, Anderson offered yet another
alternative: budget riders. Every year,
when funds for the District are appropriated, congressional leaders could attach
or insert rides that prohibit the District
government from using its own taxpayer
money to enforce the implementation of
the amended Human Rights Act. Such
a move might stand a better chance of
passing, as President Obama might be
less willing to veto an appropriations bill
than he would a resolution of disapproval
seeking to overturn a law passed by the
Districts legally elected representatives.
Sophomore Steve Morris, a member of CUAllies and chairman of the
College Republicans, is optimistic about
Congresss decision not to seek an overturn of the amended human rights law:
We have seen the schools lack of logical and moral case catch up with their
lack of legal case for denying CUAllies
recognition.
Morris says that the majority of CUA
students even devout Catholics differ with administrators when it comes
to recognizing groups like CUAllies. His
own conservative beliefs - both morally and politically inform his stance
that an LGBT group can co-exist alongside socially conservative clubs, just as
College Democrats and Republicans, and
a wide swath of ethnically-diverse student organizations, already do.
Conservatives believe in free markets and a free market of ideas, Morris
says. The only people who have anything to fear from debate are those who
cant stand strong in their beliefs. l
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LGBTCommunityCalendar
Metro Weeklys Community Calendar highlights important events in
the D.C.-area LGBT community, from alternative social events to
volunteer opportunities. Event information should be sent by email to
calendar@MetroWeekly.com. Deadline for inclusion is noon
of the Friday before Thursdays publication. Questions about
the calendar may be directed to the Metro Weekly office at
202-638-6830 or the calendar email address.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25
ADVENTURING outdoors group hikes a strenuous 6-mile loop with 1800 feet of elevation gain at
Fridley Gap in the Massanutten Mountains near
Harrisonburg, Va. Bring beverages, lunch, bug spray,
sunscreen, and about $18 for fees. Optional dinner
in the Shenandoah Valley follows. Meet at 9 a.m. in
the Kiss & Ride lot of the East Falls Church Metro
Station. Craig, 202-462-0535. adventuring.org.
BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today for Food & Friends. To
participate, burgundycrescent.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers for GLAAs 44th Anniversary
Awards reception. To participate, burgundycrescent.org.

GAY MARRIED MENS ASSOCIATION (GAMMA)

THE GAY & LESBIAN ACTIVISTS ALLIANCE

(GLAA) holds its annual fundraising reception cel-

ebrating its 44th anniversary. Distinguished Service

Awards will be presented to to Alexandra Andrea
Beninda, Chuck Hicks and Anne Phelps. 6:30-8:30
p.m., Policy Restaurant and Lounge, 1901 14th
Street NW and T. Tickets, $55 & up at the door.
202-667-5139. glaa.org.

GAYS AND LESBIANS OPPOSING VIOLENCE

(GLOV), the anti-violence groups focused on com-

bating anti-LGBT hate crimes, holds its monthly

meeting at The DC Center. 7-8:30 p.m. 2000 14th St.
NW, Suite 105. For more information, visit thedccenter.org or glovdc.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session at
Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van Buren St. NW.
7:30-9 p.m. swimdcac.org.

DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay and lesbian squaredancing group features mainstream through
advanced square dancing at the National City
Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW, 7-9:30 p.m.
Casual dress. 301-257-0517, dclambdasquares.org.
The DULLES TRIANGLES Northern Virginia social
group meets for happy hour at Sheraton in Reston,
11810 Sunrise Valley Drive, second-floor bar, 7-9
p.m. All welcome. dullestriangles.com.

METROHEALTH CENTER offers free, rapid HIV

testing. Appointment needed. 1012 14th St. NW,
Suite 700. 202-638-0750.

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5 p.m., by

appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger.
202-567-3155 or testing@smyal.org.

is a confidential support group for men who are

gay, bisexual, questioning and who are married
or involved with a woman, that meets regularly in
Dupont Circle and monthly in Northern Virginia
and Hagerstown, Md. 7:30-9:30 p.m. For more
information, visit gammaindc.org.

The DC Center hosts its April QUEER COOKIES

POETRY SLAM. 7-9 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite
105. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS
ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH offers

free HIV testing, 9-5 p.m., and HIV services (by

appointment). 202-291-4707 or andromedatransculturalhealth.org.

LGB PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP FOR

MONTGOMERY COUNTY offers a safe place to

BET MISHPACHAH, founded by members of the

LGBT community, holds Saturday morning Shabbat
services, 10 a.m., followed by Kiddush luncheon.
Services in DCJCC Community Room, 1529 16th St.
NW. betmish.org.

WOMEN IN THEIR TWENTIES, a social discussion

BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP, including others interested in Brazilian culture, meets. For location/time,
email braziliangaygroup@yahoo.com.

connect and explore issues of identity. 10-11:30 a.m.

16220 S. Frederick Rd., Suite 512, Gaithersburg, Md.
For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

and activity group for LBT women, meets on the

second and fourth Fridays of each month. Social
activity to follow meeting. 8-9:30 p.m. 2000 14th St.
NW, Suite 105. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Join YOUTH PRIDE ALLIANCE as they celebrate
and honor those who have made a difference in the
lives of GLBTQ Youth at its Allies Reception. 6:309:30 p.m. DC Center, 2000 14th St NW. Tickets:
$25-250, funds raised support Youth Pride Day.
More info, http://bit.ly/youthallies.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session at

Hains Point, 972 Ohio Dr., SW. 8:30-10 a.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.

DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walking/social

club welcomes all levels for exercise in a fun and

supportive environment, socializing afterward.
Meet 9:30 a.m., 23rd & P Streets NW, for a walk; or
10 a.m. for fun run. dcfrontrunners.org.

DC SENTINELS basketball team meets at Turkey

WEEKLY EVENTS
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session

at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr. SW. 6:30-8 p.m. Visit

swimdcac.org.

GAY DISTRICT holds facilitated discussion for

GBTQ men, 18-35, first and third Fridays. 8:30 p.m.

The DC Center, 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. 202682-2245, gaydistrict.org.

HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health. At the

Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,
9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson Center, 2301
MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment call 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE,

2-4 p.m. For players of all levels, gay or straight.
teamdcbasketball.org.

DIGNITYUSA sponsors Mass for LGBT community,

family and friends. 6:30 p.m., Immanuel Churchon-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria. All
welcome. For more info, visit dignitynova.org.

GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discusses critical languages and foreign languages. 7 p.m. Nellies, 900 U St.
NW. RVSP preferred. brendandarcy@gmail.com.
IDENTITY offers free and confidential HIV testing
in Takoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite
411. Walk-ins 12-3 p.m. For appointments other
hours, call 301-422-2398.

PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-affirming social

US HELPING US hosts a Narcotics Anonymous

group for ages 11-24. 4-6 p.m. 1419 Columbia Road

NW. Contact Tamara, 202-319-0422, layc-dc.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

SMYALS REC NIGHT provides a social atmosphere for GLBT and questioning youth, featuring
dance parties, vogue nights, movies and games.
More info, catherine.chu@smyal.org.

Join FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UCCS

WOMENS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE for young

Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW.

The group is independent of UHU. 202-446-1100.

LBTQ women, 13-21, interested in leadership development. 5-6:30 p.m. SMYAL Youth Center, 410 7th
St. SE. 202-567-3163, catherine.chu@smyal.org.

14

APRIL 23, 2015

METROWEEKLY.COM

NATIONAL WEEKEND OF PRAYER FOR

FREEDOM TO MARRY, in anticipation of the

Supreme Court hearing arguments on marriage

equality. Featuring remarks by Rev. Dr. Sidney
Fowler and music by the Gay Mens Chorus of

Washingtons Rock Creek Singers. 10:30 a.m. 945 G

St. NW. For more information, visit firstuccdc.org.
Join us for a MULTI-FAITH SERVICE FOR THE
FREEDOM TO MARRY leading up to the oral argu-

ments in the marriage cases before the Supreme

Court. 5-7 p.m. National City Christian Church, 5
Thomas Circle NW. For more information, visit
thedccenter.org.

PEOPLE OF FAITH FOR EQUALITY IN VIRGINIA

- NORTHERN VIRGINIA NETWORK presents
Keeping the Faith: Interfaith Prayer Service
to Embrace the LGBT Communities before
the Supreme Court Marriage Equality Cases. 4
p.m. Congregation Etz Hayim, 2920 Arlington
Boulevard, Arlington, VA. pofev.org.

will be meeting once a month. For information on

location and time, email to not.the.only.one.dc@
gmail.com.

RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH, a Christ-centered,

interracial, welcoming-and-affirming church, offers
service at 10 a.m. 680 I St. SW. 202-554-4330, riversidedc.org.
UNIVERSALIST NATIONAL MEMORIAL
CHURCH, a welcoming and inclusive church. GLBT

Interweave social/service group meets monthly.

Services at 11 a.m., Romanesque sanctuary. 1810 16th
St. NW. 202-387-3411, universalist.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 27
WEEKLY EVENTS
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session

at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visit

swimdcac.org.

DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds practice, 6:30-8:30

p.m. Garrison Elementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscandals.wordpress.com.

GETEQUAL meets 6:30-8 p.m. at Quaker House,

2111 Florida Ave. NW. getequal.wdc@gmail.com.

WEEKLY EVENTS
LGBT-inclusive ALL SOULS MEMORIAL
EPISCOPAL CHURCH celebrates Low Mass at 8:30

a.m., High Mass at 11 a.m. 2300 Cathedral Ave. NW.

202-232-4244, allsoulsdc.org.

BETHEL CHURCH-DC progressive and radically

inclusive church holds services at 11:30 a.m. 2217
Minnesota Ave. SE. 202-248-1895, betheldc.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session at
Hains Point, 972 Ohio Dr., SW. 9:30-11 a.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.

DIGNITYUSA offers Roman Catholic Mass for the

LGBT community. 6 p.m., St. Margarets Church,
1820 Connecticut Ave. NW. All welcome. Sign interpreted. For more info, visit dignitynova.org.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF

CHRIST welcomes all to 10:30 a.m. service, 945 G

St. NW. firstuccdc.org or 202-628-4317.

HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST welcomes

GLBT community for worship. 10:30 a.m., 6130 Old

Telegraph Road, Alexandria. hopeucc.org.

Join LINCOLN CONGREGATIONAL TEMPLE

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST for an inclusive,
loving and progressive faith community every
Sunday. 11 a.m. 1701 11th Street NW, near R in
Shaw/Logan neighborhood. lincolntemple.org.

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF

NORTHERN VIRGINIA services at 11 a.m., led by

Rev. Onetta Brooks. Childrens Sunday School, 11

a.m. 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax. 703-691-0930,
mccnova.com.

NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, inclusive

church with GLBT fellowship, offers gospel worship,
8:30 a.m., and traditional worship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas
Circle NW. 202-232-0323, nationalcitycc.org.
NEW HSV-2 SOCIAL AND SUPPORT GROUP for
gay men living in the DC metro area. This group

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APRIL 23, 2015

15

Oral
Fixation
you can listen
to any story at
MetroWeekly.com
just look for the
speak button

HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health. At the Elizabeth Taylor Medical

Center, 1701 14th St. NW, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson Center, 2301
MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment call 202-745-7000. Visit
whitman-walker.org.
KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY (K.I.) SERVICES, 3333 Duke St., Alexandria,
offers free rapid HIV testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 703-823-4401.
METROHEALTH CENTER offers free, rapid HIV testing. No appointment
needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.

NOVASALUD offers free HIV testing. 5-7 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite 200,
Arlington. Appointments: 703-789-4467.

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5 p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for
youth 21 and younger. Youth Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155 or testing@
smyal.org.
The DC Center hosts COFFEE DROP-IN FOR THE SENIOR LGBT
COMMUNITY. 10 a.m.-noon. 2000 14th St. NW. 202-682-2245, thedccenter.org.

US HELPING US hosts a black gay mens evening affinity group. 3636 Georgia
Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.
WASHINGTON WETSKINS Water Polo Team practices 7-9 p.m. Takoma
Aquatic Center, 300 Van Buren St. NW. Newcomers with at least basic swimming ability always welcome. Tom, 703-299-0504, secretary@wetskins.org,
wetskins.org.
Whitman-Walker Health HIV/AIDS SUPPORT GROUP for newly diagnosed
individuals, meets 7 p.m. Registration required. 202-939-7671, hivsupport@
whitman-walker.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28
The DC Center holds its monthly GENDER QUEER MEETING AND
DISCUSSION ROUNDTABLE. 7-8:30 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For
more information, visit thedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS
ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly dinner in Dupont/Logan Circle area, 6:30 p.m.
afwash@aol.com, afwashington.net.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session at Takoma Aquatic Center, 300
Van Buren St. NW. 7:30-9 p.m. swimdcac.org.

DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walking/social club serving greater D.C.s

LGBT community and allies hosts an evening run/walk. dcfrontrunners.org.

THE GAY MENS HEALTH COLLABORATIVE offers free HIV testing and STI
screening and treatment every Tuesday. 5-6:30 p.m. Rainbow Tuesday LGBT
Clinic, Alexandria Health Department, 4480 King St. 703-746-4986 or text 571214-9617. james.leslie@inova.org.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health. At the Elizabeth Taylor Medical
Center, 1701 14th St. NW, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson Center, 2301
MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment call 202-745-7000. Visit
whitman-walker.org.
THE HIV WORKING GROUP of THE DC CENTER hosts Packing Party,

where volunteers assemble safe-sex kits of condoms and lube. 7 p.m., Green
Lantern, 1335 Green Court NW. thedccenter.org.

IDENTITY offers free and confidential HIV testing in Gaithersburg, 414 East

Diamond Ave., and in Takoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411. Walkins 2-6 p.m. For appointments other hours, call Gaithersburg at 301-300-9978 or
Takoma Park at 301-422-2398.

KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY (K.I.) SERVICES, at 3333 Duke St.,

Alexandria, offers free rapid HIV testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 703823-4401.
METROHEALTH CENTER offers free, rapid HIV testing. Appointment needed.
1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.

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OVEREATERS ANONYMOUSLGBT focused meeting every Tuesday, 7 p.m.

St. Georges Episcopal Church, 915 Oakland Ave., Arlington, just steps from
Virginia Square Metro. For more info. call Dick, 703-521-1999. Handicapped
accessible. Newcomers welcome. liveandletliveoa@gmail.com.
SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5 p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for
youth 21 and younger. Youth Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, testing@
smyal.org.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQ YOUTH ages 13-21 meets at SMYAL, 410 7th
St. SE, 5-6:30 p.m. Cathy Chu, 202-567-3163, catherine.chu@smyal.org.
US HELPING US hosts a support group for black gay men 40 and older. 7-9
p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.
Whitman-Walker Healths GAY MENS HEALTH AND WELLNESS/STD
CLINIC opens at 6 p.m., 1701 14th St. NW. Patients are seen on walk-in basis.
No-cost screening for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Hepatitis and
herpes testing available for fee. whitman-walker.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
THE LAMBDA BRIDGE CLUB meets for Duplicate Bridge. 7:30 p.m. Dignity
Center, 721 8th St. SE, across from the Marine Barracks. No reservation needed.
703-407-6540 if you need a partner.
Join WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH AND THE DC COALITION AGAINST
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (DCCADV) for Love Never Hurts, a presentation

addressing intimate partner violence in the LGBT community. 6-7:30 p.m. DC

Center, 2000 14th St NW, Suite 105. Dinner provided. For more info, domaindesigning@gmail.com.

WEEKLY EVENTS
AD LIB, a group for freestyle conversation, meets about 6:30-6 p.m., Steam, 17th
and R NW. All welcome. For more information, call Fausto Fernandez, 703-7325174.
ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5 p.m.,
and HIV services (by appointment). 202-291-4707, andromedatransculturalhealth.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr.
SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds practice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Garrison Elementary,

1200 S St. NW. dcscandals.wordpress.com.

HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH offers Wednesday worship 7:15 a.m. and 12:05
p.m. All welcome. 118 N. Washington St., Alexandria. 703-549-1450, historicchristchurch.org.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health. At the Elizabeth Taylor Medical
Center, 1701 14th St. NW, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson Center, 2301
MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment call 202-745-7000. Visit
whitman-walker.org.
IDENTITY offers free and confidential HIV testing in Gaithersburg, 414

East Diamond Ave. Walk-ins 2-7 p.m. For appointments other hours, call
Gaithersburg at 301-300-9978.

JOB CLUB, a weekly support program for job entrants and seekers, meets at

The DC Center. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. More info, www.
centercareers.org.

METROHEALTH CENTER offers free, rapid HIV testing. No appointment

needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.

NOVASALUD offers free HIV testing. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite 200,
Arlington. Appointments: 703-789-4467.

PRIME TIMERS OF DC, social club for mature gay men, hosts weekly happy
hour/dinner. 6:30 p.m., Windows Bar above Dupont Italian Kitchen, 1637 17th
St. NW. Carl, 703-573-8316. l
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APRIL 23, 2015

17

scene
Equality VAs
12th Annual
Commonwealth
Dinner at the
Greater Richmond
Convention Center
Saturday, April 18
scan this tag
with your
smartphone
for bonus scene
pics online!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY
WARD MORRISON

18

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE

19

UNIQUELY
ALEX
Alex Newell isnt only using his rising star to better himself.
Hes also committed to helping others by raising support for organizations like
The Trevor Project
Interview by Doug Rule

Alex Newell was already living by what he calls the Glee

motto years before he became a cast member on the hit Fox TV
show.
While in high school in Massachusetts, Newell landed a guest
appearance on the show after coming in second on its feeder
reality series The Glee Project. Proving to be a natural as well as
a fan favorite, the flamboyant, slightly androgynous Newell was
promoted to the main cast during Glees penultimate season.
He starred as Wade Unique Adams, a transgender teen once
described as the lovechild of Kurt and Mercedes, characters
played by Chris Colfer and Amber Riley.
The 22-year-old was accepted to the prestigious Berklee
College of Music a few years ago, but opted instead to pursue
his California dreams with Glee. Now that the show has ended,
hes pursuing other stage and screen projects, as well as a music
career through a contract with Atlantic Records, capitalizing on
the fame and fans he gained on Glee.
But Newell isnt only using his rising star to better himself.
Hes also committed to helping other LGBT youth and regularly
performs at benefit concerts both in D.C. and in his home base
of L.A., most notably for the Trevor Project.
METRO WEEKLY: What does the Trevor Project mean to you?
ALEX NEWELL: Its an astounding organization helping those in

need one of the best things that anyone can do. Its just sitting
down and talking to someone, and letting them know theyre not
alone, and that its going to get better, and that its okay. Theyre
literally saving lives in that sense.
MW: Did you struggle with your sexuality growing up?
NEWELL: I wouldnt say that I struggled to an extent of wanting to
take my own life, but I did struggle in middle school, where you
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APRIL 23, 2015

METROWEEKLY.COM

dont really know whats going on. Things were showing more
than what they used to in elementary school, and so I would get
flack for that from older kids and some of the kids in my class.
I had to grow up fast I lost my father to cancer when I was
six, and my mother worked night shifts, so I was basically ironing her clothes, ironing my clothes, cooking my meals, cooking
her meals. So I knew who I was and I was comfortable with who
I was by the time I got to high school. I got flack and I struggled
with people who couldnt see past it in a sense I went to a
Catholic high school, so obviously there were issues. But I never
struggled personally with it.
MW: It sounds like you were secure enough in your own identity,
your own skin, which ultimately makes it harder to be picked on.
NEWELL: There are so few things a person can say to take you
down if you already know who you are. Yes, Im black. Wow,
shocker. Yes, Im gay. Another shocker. Yes, Im a little chunky.
Shocker. There are so many things, if you know who you are,
when someone says it, theyre literally just stating the obvious.
MW: Has your mother always been supportive of you? How did
you come out?
NEWELL: Absolutely. One night I said Im gay, and she was
just, Uh-huh, okay, go to bed. And that was it. And then when
I woke up the next morning, she said, Im going to love you
regardless. Youre my only child, and whatever life decisions
you make, no matter who you are, I cant change that. I still love
you.
MW: Does that make you feel more of a responsibility to do things
like supporting the Trevor Project and other organizations that are
helping people that dont have it as easy?
NEWELL: Yeah, absolutely. Because I know people who didnt
have it as well. I know people whose parents still dont accept

RICKY MIDDLESWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY

BE WHO YOU ARE, BE SPECIAL, AND KNOW YOUR TRUTH.

RICKY MIDDLESWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY

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APRIL 23, 2015

21

I KNOW PEOPLE WHOSE PARENTS

STILL DONT ACCEPT THEM AND WERE
KICKED OUT BECAUSE OF WHO THEY
ARE.

HOW COULD YOU TURN AWAY

FROM A LIFE THAT YOU CREATED?

HOW COULD
YOU TURN
AWAY ON THE
PERSON THAT
YOU LOVED
UP UNTIL THIS
MOMENT?
them, and I know people who were kicked out because of who
they are. And its one of those things: How could you turn away
from a life that you created? How could you turn away on the
person that you loved up until this moment? I dont understand
that.
MW: Usually its because of religion, or at least peoples perception
of what their religion tells them about homosexuality.
NEWELL: Its crazy. I grew up going to church every Sunday.
Maybe three or four days out of the week as well. My mothers
in the choir, my father was a deacon, my grandmother sang
in the choir back in Alabama. My aunts are the music directors back at my grandmothers church in Alabama. My other
aunt is the director of the church that I currently still go to in
Massachusetts. I was in the youth choir, the adult choir. I was
enthralled in the church. People pick and choose the things
that they want to accept, that are written into the Bible. Most
people say its interpretation. No, its literally what you want
to hear. Because Im pretty sure the Bible says that youre not
supposed to eat shellfish, yet there are a whole bunch of people
having a fish fry and eating all the shellfish they can eat. And they
say, God doesnt love you, or Jesus doesnt love you because
youre sinning everyone in this world is born with original
sin. Thus, only he who is without sin casts the first stone. I could
talk about this all day. The Bible also says Love they neighbor as
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APRIL 23, 2015

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thyself. So why are you just disregarding that commandment?

Youre going to hate me because of the way that I was born, the
way that God created me in his image?
I even got flack when I was on The Glee Project and I wore
a big old sandwich board on national television that said Gay.
And when I came back to church, the old pastor of the church
that I still go to had a problem with me. This was a man who
would literally wear me down singing Sunday after Sunday
after Sunday. I remember I got up there and had to sing with
laryngitis. But after The Glee Project, he had a problem with me
being gay. He had a conversation with my mother. I dont know
what that conversation was because she wont tell me. I was like,
What in me changed that you had to stop seeing me as a person
with a talent and a gift? Its just so funny how one little minute
detail in someones life, one minute detail that doesnt define this
person or who they are at all, can change peoples aspect of how
they look at you.
MW: It sounds as though your family stayed resolute in supporting you.
NEWELL: Yeah, absolutely. Theyre my backbone. They will keep
me grounded with all that they do.
MW: Did you grow up Catholic?
NEWELL: No, I just went to Catholic high school. It was the Zion
Baptist Church. My church services are two to three hours long,
so I would wish that I were Catholic 45 minutes and done?
Sounds like a blessing.
MW: How often do you get back to Boston?
NEWELL: Maybe four or five times out of the year. Major holidays,
my mothers birthday, Mothers Day, things like that.
MW: I understand that a cousin encouraged you to audition for The
Glee Project. Were you a fan of Glee before that?
NEWELL: My ex-boyfriend got me hooked onto Glee, and I was
watching for two years and then they had the auditions, and my
cousin was just like, You need to audition for this show. And
I was like, I dont know. They already have Amber Riley on the
show. Shes absolutely amazing. I was just hesitant to do it.
MW: You thought they only had room for one African-American
cast member?
NEWELL: Yeah, they had one African American. So I was just sitting there minding my business.
MW: How much did you identify with your character?
NEWELL: Down to wardrobe and stuff like that. I remember one
of the writers walked up to me one day and asked, So, are you
liking the direction in Uniques wardrobe? And I said, No, not
really. Im looking kind of mommy. So they brought it back to
a youthful sense, where it doesnt look like I was just getting my
mothers clothes out of the closet. It would be different outfits
skinny jeans with a sickening heel, and a blouse and stuff like
that where we created some kind of an androgynous look.
MW: I have to ask: Did you dress up in your moms clothes growing up?
NEWELL: Oh no, not at all. The most that I did was Hairspray,
where I was Motormouth Maybelle, or Mary Sunshine in
Chicago. And some other roles. Just on-stage things like that.
MW: So you dont dress up in drag in your personal life?
NEWELL: You know, sometimes Ill put on a cute little dress and
go outside and live life, but its really just for the fun of it, and
being different. But most days I will be in a pair of jeans, a t-shirt,
with a nice little Cole Haan shoe. As a boy, all the time.
MW: Tell us about your forthcoming solo music.
NEWELL: Im working on it right now. I was in the studio the day
before yesterday singing a song, and we didnt finish it because I
was a little under the weather. Im singing these amazing songs.
I did a song with Clean Bandit, Stronger, where I literally get

THERE ARE SO FEW THINGS A

PERSON CAN SAY TO TAKE YOU
DOWN IF YOU ALREADY KNOW WHO
YOU ARE.

YES, IM BLACK. WOW,

SHOCKER.

YES, IM GAY.

ANOTHER SHOCKER.

IF YOU KNOW WHO

YOU ARE, THEYRE
RICKY MIDDLESWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY

LITERALLY JUST
STATING THE
OBVIOUS.
to scream to Jesus. Im screaming up to the heavens, and apparently hes listening. [Laughs.] Its just such a good song, and the
crowd loves it. I did Coachella with them, and the Fonda [in
L.A.]. Its just one of those amazing dance tracks thats just so
good. It popped up to No. 14 on the U.K. charts last week. I did
another song with a group called Blonde in the U.K., All Cried
Out. Its a great summer song. I feel like all the songs that I sang
with people this season have been really good summer songs. I
did another song with the Knocks out of New York, Collect My
Love its Whitney Houston-inspired, with a Mariah Carey
range, where Im literally just taking all of my body and throwing
it at everyone.
MW: Are you focusing on dance music?
NEWELL: Yeah, I love to make people feel good with my voice.
I just want something that people can tap their foot to and feel
something and want to dance. And not just my mother but my
cousins and their children every generation. I dont want a
song thats appealing to just one crowd.
MW: Are you working on another show?
NEWELL: I really want to work on another show. I am bored out of
my mind. Yes, singing is my number one passion. I love to sing.
But sometimes Im watching TV shows and its just like, Oh my
God, I want to do that so bad.
Im harassing my team, thats what Im going to say. I sent an
email saying, There is no reason that I should not be on NBCs
The Wiz. Im black, the shows black, I sing, they sing in the
show. I dance, they dance. Im funny when I act, the show can
be funny at times. Theres literally no reason why I shouldnt be

in either the NBC live stream, or the Broadway show thats going
to happen after it in 2016.
MW: Ive also heard that, among other shows, youre scheming to
get on Empire.
NEWELL: Oh, of course. Im a die-hard Empire fan. Im like, Hey
guys, hey Lee Daniels, Im right here. Just call me and Ill literally
just fly on out to Chicago, have myself a Cookie Lyon experience,
and then Im good. Sing myself a little ditty. I was on Fox, the
show is on Fox. Im looking for reasons not to be on.
MW: How about a relationship?
NEWELL: I havent had time, but now that the shows over, Im
an open book. Im looking. Here I am boys, here I am world.
Heres Alex. Its hard. One of my close friends said, Its going
to be really hard for you to find someone who 1) lives up to
your expectations, and 2) isnt afraid of you. Because you are
extremely successful in your 22 years of being on this earth. Im
a lot to take, with a strong personality, and sometimes men are
scared of success. Its one of those things I have to come to terms
with people are going to be scared of me. I dont want people
to be scared of me or intimidated by me. I dont mean for anyone
to be that way.
Alex Newell performs Friday, May 1, at the Sweet Sixteen benefit
for the Trevor Project presented by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
at Hotel Palomar, 2121 P St. NW. Tickets are $100 including
hosted bar and hors doeuvres starting at 7 p.m., or $175 for a
hosted champagne bar with an additional intimate performance by
Newell starting at 6 p.m. Visit trvr.org/dcambassadors. l
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23

LIFE SAVERS
Trevor Project Executive Director Abbe Land on how outreach to LGBT youth can
save lives when society fails
by John Riley

OMETIMES YOUNG PEOPLE JUST NEED

an outlet, whether to express themselves, to
vent, or feel like someone is listening.
Thats essentially the concept behind
The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization
that works to prevent suicide among LGBT
and questioning youth. It attempts to reach
out to young people who may otherwise
have no safe space to explore their identity and, particularly in
rural or politically conservative parts of the country, often have
no real-life LGBT adults to look up to or utilize as a resource.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among all young
people 10 to 24. But gay, lesbian or bisexual youth are three to
four times more at risk of attempting suicide, notes Abbe Land,
executive director and CEO of The Trevor Project. If they come
from a rejecting family, they can be eight times more at risk. And
studies show that among transgender people, almost 50 percent
have thought about taking their lives.
Under Lands guidance, The Trevor Project has expanded its
outreach capabilities, offering not only a toll-free lifeline that
operates 24/7, but also TrevorChat, where youth can IM and
message with a trained counselor seven days a week. Last year,
the organization fielded 44,000 calls from across the United
States, and 8,000 chats. Theyve also developed a Facebook-like
peer program for LGBT and questioning youth and their allies,
ages 13 to 24, allowing youth to connect with more than 120,000
people from across the globe.
The Trevor Project has its roots in film. In 1994, Trevor, a
short film written by James Lecesne, produced by Randy Stone
and directed by Peggy Rajski hit the film festival circuit. The
films protagonist, Trevor, falls in love with his male best friend,
who does not return the sentiment. Trevor faces bullying, taunting and social ostracization, driving him to try to overdose on
aspirin. He survives and begins to cope with his identity.
Trevor won an Oscar, but when the film was being aired on
HBO four years later, Lecesne, Stone and Rajski realized that
there might be other teenagers or young people going through
the same struggles as their protagonist. At the end of the film,
they provided an 800 number for people to call if they were in
crisis and felt the need to talk to someone. On the night of the
first airing, 1,500 calls were fielded from youth across America,
sparking the idea for a full-time crisis hotline. Today, the lifeline
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APRIL 23, 2015

METROWEEKLY.COM

and TrevorChat are manned by volunteers, who must undergo

more than 40 hours of rigorous training on how to deal with
potentially suicidal youth.
Land, a former member of the West Hollywood City Council,
had known about The Trevor Project for years, sometimes joining in activities and working with friends who served on the
organizations board.
I always thought it was an incredibly important organization
talking about an issue that many people dont like to talk about,
she says.
Why does the issue of youth suicide go undiscussed, despite
its obvious effects as the second-largest killer of people ages 10
to 24? Land believes it has to do with societys aversion to talking about death and mental health, two highly sensitive and very
complicated issues.
This is pure speculation on my part I have no research on
it but I think that we have to feel as a society when a young
person takes their life, that we let them down, that something
didnt work, she says. I think its very discomforting for people
to talk about.
All the more reason to provide young people with the tools
to reach out and talk to someone during a moment of personal
crisis. Its also why The Trevor Project is involved in education
and advocacy surrounding issues like suicide, bullying, and the
importance of looking out for fellow youth who are being pushed
to the brink.
The more we can educate, the better chance we have of
young people being accepted for who they are, and thats what
we try to do, Land says. We help young people know: Youre
perfect, just the way you are. Whatever that is, its perfect for
you. And thats our message for them, to be who they are, and
be the best they can be.
Some of the education also needs to be directed at adults,
whether teaching parents how to deal with their childrens identity, alerting schoolteachers and administrators to any warning
signs that a youth may be contemplating suicide, or informing
adult members of the LGBT community on whose dollars and
manpower The Trevor Project can rely about why the issue of
suicide is so important.
I think a lot of people say theres been so much and there
has been a great movement in favor of LGBTQ rights, and its
been phenomenal, Land says. But for someone whos 13, some

METROWEEKLY.COM

APRIL 23, 2015

25

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TREVOR PROJECT

SUICIDE IS THE
SECOND LEADING CAUSE
OF DEATH AMONG ALL

10
to 24. BUT GAY,
LESBIAN OR
BISEXUAL YOUTH
ARE THREE TO
FOUR TIMES
MORE AT RISK
OF ATTEMPTING
SUICIDE.
young people

of those rights just dont make a difference at the moment.

I dont think theres complacency, she continues. I think
what everyone is recognizing is that marriage is just one right,
and there are a lot of other things, because even with all of the
wonderful progress on that front, there are still many states
where you can work in and be discriminated against, and lose
your job. There are states where you cant have kids. There are
states where just being gay can put you in jeopardy. So I think
people are more aware of what needs to be done.... But I think
sometimes people dont understand or realize that, for a lot of
youth, those rights seem far away and dont seem important.
Whats important is that their family love them, that their
friends accept them, and that they feel good about who they are.
Thats a lot of work we still have to do.
One step in helping youth feel better about themselves
involves promoting the understanding that sexual orientation
and gender identity are not things that can be cured, which is
why the Trevor Project has worked as part of a coalition to successfully ban the practice of so-called conversion or reparative
therapy in California, New Jersey and the District of Columbia,
and to call for similar bans elsewhere. Calling the idea of conversion therapy evil, Land was particularly encouraged by
President Barack Obamas recent call for individual states to ban
the practice on minors outright.
We were thrilled to have the President of the United States,
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whos been incredibly supportive of the LGBT community, to

have him, nationally, say, this therapy is wrong, and we need to
do what we can to prevent this therapy from happening, Land
says. And I do believe that this will help states pass this legislation, and it will promote more conversation about this issue,
because I think a lot of people dont know about it. And so the
more you can call attention to a practice that is not condoned
by any medical group, the more light you can shed on that, the
better it is. So I applaud the president for his continual activism
on looking out for what can be done to ensure quality of life for
LGBT people.
The organization has benefitted immensely from celebrity
involvement. While Alex Newell of Glee is the most recent celebrity to work with The Trevor Project, other prominent media
figures like Ellen DeGeneres, Kathy Griffin, Neil Patrick Harris
and Tyler Oakley have successfully brought attention to or been
involved in fundraising for The Trevor Projects various initiatives.
Unfortunately, tragedy as much as celebrity can lead to
an increase in the Projects visibility. The suicide of Rutgers
University freshman Tyler Clementi, as well as the suicides of
other gay teens at the time, refocused peoples attention on The
Trevor Projects mission, and its role as the only national organization supplying crisis intervention to troubled LGBT youth.
To that end, Land foresees more work through its ambassador and Next Gen programs, designed to raise awareness of
the Trevor Projects work. Eventually, they hope to gain more
donors who are willing to contribute to the continued funding of
the organizations programs.
Land also has three more initiatives that she expects to
see roll out over the next year. The first deals with evaluating
and researching interventions to come up with a list of best
practices that can be used to help counselors and responsible adults combat youth suicide. The second includes the
continued growth of TrevorSpace and a new platform that will
allow for better interaction between users. The last is aimed at
underserved communities, such as those in rural areas or in the
American South, where The Trevor Projects work is less well
known. According to Land, 35 percent of all calls that the organization receives on the lifeline come from the South, indicating a significant need for greater outreach or an investment of
resources in the region.
It would be great if every community knew about Trevor,
but we know that doesnt happen, Land says. So we look for
additional ways to get the word out.
What would Land do if she were granted unlimited funds
with which to run her organization? She would make sure every
school had a banner advertising The Trevor Project to let youth
know that theres a resource for them, an outlet where theyll
find a sympathetic ear and reassurance that may not exist elsewhere.
If I had unlimited money, and the biggest, biggest magic
wand, Id want to have family and friends be accepting, and
know that their friend, their son, their daughter, their child, is
perfect, just the way they are, Land says. And it would be my
pleasure to go out of business.
The Trevor Project Lifeline is available 24/7 and can be reached
by calling 866-488-7386. TrevorText is available on Fridays
from 4 to 8 p.m. EST. Text the word Trevor to 1-202-304-1200.
TrevorChat is available 7 days a week from 3 to 9:00 p.m. EST.
For more information on The Trevor Project, visit
thetrevorproject.org. l

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APRIL 23 - 30, 2015

Compiled by Doug Rule

The
Fondest
of
Farewells
Barry Humphries brings his glorious alter-ego Dame Edna to our shores for
one last round of sterling satire

GREG GORMAN

VE BECOME QUITE A STUDENT OF AUDIENCES,

says Barry Humphries. They think theyve come to see
me, but I actually have come to see them.
To be clear, its actually Dame Edna, she of lilac-colored
hair and cat-eyed glasses, who has come to prod, provoke
and preen for audiences, and shes doing it one last time with
a farewell tour that runs through Sunday, April 26 at the
National Theatre.
The 81-year-old Australian satirist has been performing
Edna for 60 years, and the show is a largely-improvised affair,
with the gleefully garrulous Edna reminiscing about her fabulous life, refuting scandals that have plagued her, and playfully
interrogating nearby audience members.
I always found that the best way of remembering ones lines
is to make them up on the spot, says Humphries, which is the reason I do this kind of act. As a student actor, I found memorizing lines
extremely difficult, so I would drift into a kind of monologue where I
could actually improvise.
Humphries has other characters notably a vulgar, grossly overweight, foul-toothed Australian ambassador named Les Patterson, who
has a rather large member which can be seen struggling against the
fabric of his trousers. But American audiences took to the sweet yet
gently caustic Edna, so shes the one who has most often made the trip
to our shores.
While Humphries has found fortune and fame performing in the
guise of a woman, he does not consider what he does drag.
The point about a drag performer and there are some very fine
artists in that field is the tension, he says. You know its a man,
and thats what makes it clever, really. You know it isnt Marlene
Dietrich or it isnt Liza Minnelli or Madonna, who by the way, Im
allergic to, but dont tell anyone. But thats the point
of drag the tension between the male and
the impersonation. Edna is just a character I
play. I play her as I would play Uncle Vanya.
As for those audience members who
automatically assume that the straight
Humphries is gay, he chuckles. I have
never gone to the theater and wondered
about the sexuality of the actors. It seems to be
that its sort of absurd speculation. When I go to see
a production of Hamlet, I dont wonder whether the
actor is Danish or not. Randy Shulman
Dame Ednas Glorious Goodbye: The Farewell Tour runs through Sunday, April 26 at the National Theatre,
1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $48 to $118. Call 800-514-3849 or visit thenationaldc.org.
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SPOTLIGHT
DAKSHINA / DANIEL PHOENIX SINGH
DANCE COMPANY

Inspired by a poetry anthology of writers lost to

AIDS, Persistent Voices combines poignant choreography, thought-provoking poetry and evocative
visual designs to explore the effect of AIDS on our
lives. Local gay choreographer Daniel Phoenix Singh
brings his company to Dance Place for this program
co-presented by Reston CenterStage. Saturday, May
2, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 3, at 7 p.m. Dance Place,
3225 8th St. NE. Tickets are $25 in advance, or $30 at
the door. Call 202-269-1600 or visit danceplace.org.

GEORGETOWN FRENCH MARKET

The boutique shops, antique stores, restaurants,

salons and galleries in Georgetowns Book Hill area
will all participate in this 12th annual open-air market and sidewalk sale, presented by the Georgetown
Business Improvement District (BID) and intended
to evoke the outdoor markets of Paris. Among the
musical acts scheduled to perform on Saturday, April
25, are the jazz duo Rachel & Sean, the local 30s-era
jazz quartet Laissez Foure, the local New Orleansstyle jazz band Yamomanem, gypsy swing act Red
Hot Rhythm Chiefs, and local gypsy guitar duo
Swing Guitars DC. Friday, April 24, and Saturday,
April 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wisconsin Avenue
between P Street and Reservoir Road. Visit georgetowndc.com/events.

LEAD BELLY TRIBUTE

W/ROBERT PLANT, ALISON KRAUSS

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were inspired to

team up for their Grammy-winning 2009 album
Raising Sand after performing together at a 2004
Lead Belly tribute concert at Clevelands Rock and

Roll Hall of Fame. Now, theyll once again pay tribute to the pioneering folk songwriter, born William
Huddle Leadbetter, many of whose songs have
become rock standards as well, from Black Betty
to House of the Rising Sun. Buddy Miller, Valerie
June, Josh White Jr., Alvin Youngblood Hart, Viktor
Krauss, Shannon McNally and Dan Zanes are also
on the bill for the concert Lead Belly at 125: A
Tribute to An American Songster, co-presented
by the Grammy Museum and the Kennedy Center.
Saturday, April 25, at 8 p.m. Kennedy Center Concert
Hall. Tickets are $29 to $99. Call 202-467-4600 or
visit kennedy-center.org.

LORD OF THE RINGS MOVIE FESTIVAL

Once again the Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse

brings the Lord of the Rings trilogy to the big screen
for a one-day marathon. Fans are encouraged to
dress up as a favorite character to earn a free movie
pass for a future screening, and there will also be a
trivia contest and a Gollum impersonation contest.
The Fellowship of the Rings screens at 12 p.m., The
Two Towers at 3:15 p.m. and The Return of the King
at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 26, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia
Pike, Arlington. Tickets are $10. Call 703-486-2345
or visit arlingtondrafthouse.com.

ROB KAPILOW:
THE SONGS OF STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Washington Performing Arts co-presents with

Smithsonian Associates the latest lecture and performance in the What Makes It Great? series, from
this former NPR music commentator who channels
Leonard Bernstein in both explaining and performing a great musical masterpiece or body of work in
one sitting. The focus this time is on the work of the
man many call the greatest living Broadway composer. Sunday, April 26, at 6 p.m. Baird Auditorium

at the National Museum of Natural History, 10th

Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Tickets are
$20. Call 202-633-3030 or visit washingtonperformingarts.org.

SHEILA E.

Three decades after her work as a drummer, songwriter and musical director for Prince including
on the stupendous Purple Rain soundtrack, which in
turn launched her solo career with The Glamorous
Life Sheila E is back. After an electrifying show
at the Birchmere last fall, she returns to the area
to show off her dexterous skills in all manners and
nearly all genres of music-making, continuing to tour
in support of Icon, her first studio album in 13 years.
Offering everything from wondrous polyrhythmic
percussive runs, such as on first single Mona Lisa,
to Dont Make Me, an impressive all-vocal track
in which Sheila shows shes a vocal percussionist
too that is, a beatboxer. Prince even shows up, to
sing backing vocals and play piano on the infectious
E Family jam Leader of the Band. Thursday, April
30, at 8 p.m. The Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW.
Tickets are $37.50 to $75. Call 202-588-5595 or visit
thehowardtheatre.com.

FILM
AFI FILM SERIES: ADVENTURES IN 3D

Over the next week, the American Film Institutes

Silver Theatre screens three of the more recent
acclaimed films shot in 3D as part of a months-long
series focused on use of the technology in various artistic genres, including in stage productions
and animation. Next up: Alfonso Cuarons Gravity,
which innovatively captured the sense of being lost
in outer space, Martin Scorseses ode to the cinema
Hugo, set in a Paris train station between the World

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Wars, and Ang Lees dazzling cinematic adaptation

of Yann Martels celebrated novel Life of Pi. Gravity
screens Friday, April 24, at 9:45 p.m., Sunday, April
26, at 3 p.m., and Thursday, April 30, at 9:15 p.m.,
Hugo screens Saturday, May 2, at 3:45 p.m., and
Life of Pi screens Sunday, May 3, at 3:30 p.m. AFI
Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring.
Tickets are $9 to $12. Call 301-495-6720 or visit afi.
com/Silver.

FILMFEST DC

C. STANLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

The 29th Annual Washington, DC International

Film Festival continues through this weekend and
includes Thomas G. Millers Limited Partnership, a
documentary focused on the decades-long struggle
of a binational gay couple to have their marriage recognized by the federal government and U.S. immigration officials. Thursday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m.,
and Saturday, April 25, at 9:15 p.m. at Landmark E
Street Cinema. Festival runs to April 26. Tickets are
$13 for most screenings. Call 202-234-3456 or visit
filmfestdc.org.

THE AGE OF ADALINE

Durang Durang

After a long and storied career, Christopher Durang finally

got his just reward

N 2013, CHRISTOPHER DURANG FINALLY WON A TONY.

To win a Tony you have to be on Broadway, explains Durang, who prior to
winning Best Play for Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, only had two other
plays make the move to the Great White Way: The History of the American Film, in
1978, and Beyond Therapy, in 1982. I sort of let go of thinking that will I ever win a
Tony about 12 years ago.
When [Vanya] moved to Broadway I was delighted, he continues. I thought,
I feel lucky a really wonderful play about death isnt nominated. Usually the really
serious plays win over a comic one. But there wasnt a play about death that year.
It was a long-overdue win and a well-deserved one. Vanya and Sonia and
Masha and Spike, currently at Arena Stage, finds the playwright whose canon
includes Sister Mary Ignatius Explains it All For You and Laughing Wild in peak
form. Set in Bucks County, Pa., Vanya tells the story of three siblings who each harbor a simmering resentment for the way their lives have unfolded. When their anger
detonates, particularly in the case of gay brother Vanya, the results are hilariously
explosive. Only a truly gifted playwright can incorporate deep poignancy and fullyrealized emotional connections into a comic froth.
Despite the obvious nod to Chekhov, Durang is quick to point out that you dont
have to know Chekhov to enjoy it, stressing that its not a parody of the classical
Russian playwright. I dont really view my play as a version of Chekhov, he says.
Chekhov was more the jumping off point.
Although himself gay, the 66-year-old has never been branded a gay playwright in
the same manner as Tony Kushner or Terrence McNally, many of whose plays deals
explicitly with gay issues. There is a gay sensibility to Durangs work, but its often
muted; you have to scratch beneath the surface to unearth it.
When A History of the American Film was done in 1978, someone asked me if I
thought I had a gay sense of humor, he recalls. I resisted that at the time, partially
because I didnt want to be looked at as someone who always wrote about gay things.
Then, when Sister Mary was a success, I wondered if people thought I was always
going to write about Catholicism and religion. Randy Shulman
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike runs through May 3rd at Arena Stage, 1101
6th St. SW. Call 202-488-3300 or visit arenastage.org.
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Blake Lively can act! would seem an appropriate

tagline, as movie execs pitch the Gossip Girl star
as a serious actress who can carry a drama about a
woman who never ages, with all of the time-spanning, romance-related troubles that entails. Harrison
Ford and Ellen Burstyn are among supporting cast
in Lee Toland Kriegers film. Opens Friday, April
24. Now playing. Area theaters. Visit fandango.com.

STAGE
CLOSET LAND

Rick Hammerly directs the latest Factory 449

production staged in the small, black box theater
at the Anacostia Arts Center. Rahda Bharadwajs
Closet Land focuses on a government interrogator
in a nameless country torturing a writer alleged
to include anti-State messages in her work. David
Lamont Wilson and Sara Barker star in this twoperson work staged in the round and billed as a
harrowing descent into the nature of violence, the
minds resolve and the human spirits endurance.
To May 10. Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Good Hope
Road SE. Tickets are $12. Call 202-631-6291 or visit
factory449.com.

DONT DIE IN THE DARK

City Artistic Partnerships presents this one-act play

shedding light on the personal and patriotic motivations behind one of Americas most shocking acts
of terror, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Matty Griffiths produces this theater piece starring
playwright/performer Joe Brack as John Wilkes
Booth and Bradley Foster Smith as Guitar, providing music and conscience to the piece. Out of
respect for Mr. Lincoln, the producers note, we
are not performing this play in a theater. Closes this
Sunday, April 26. Studio 1469, 1469 Harvard St. NW.
Call 202-213-2474.

SWING TIME! THE MUSICAL

Mike Thornton, an actor who has worked with the

satire group the Capitol Steps, and his wife, Cecelia
Fex, have teamed up as co-producers for this big
band-era musical revue about a group of performers putting together a wartime radio broadcast.
Featuring film clips plus a live jazz band, the show
features tunes made popular by Duke Ellington,
Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and
Cab Calloway. Next shows are Thursday, April 23, at
7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 25, at 2 p.m., and Sunday,
May 3, at 2 p.m. Select dates to June 27. U.S. Navy
Memorials Burke Theater, 701 Pennsylvania Ave.
NW. Tickets are $19 or $49. Call 202-393-4266 or
visit swingtimethemusical.com.

THE ORIGINALIST

Molly Smith directs an Arena Stage world premiere

of John Strands play about one of the biggest enemies to the LGBT cause and civil rights in general:
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Its hard to
get excited about this one, although no doubt fourtime Helen Hayes Award winner Edward Gero will
do Scalia justice. The play is performed in the Mead
Centers Kogod Cradle in a new three-quarter thrust
configuration. Extended to May 31, with a two-week
break at the start of May. Mead Center for American
Theater, 1101 6th St. SW. Call 202-488-3300 or visit
arenastage.org.

MUSIC
DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES

Yes, the 80s hit-making duo of Daryl Hall and John

Oates is still performing together, and not just on TV
(specifically, American Idol and The Voice). The duo
isnt touring in support of any new original recordings the last together was 2006s holiday set Home
for Christmas. But both have relatively new material
as solo artists: Halls 2011 release Laughing Down
Crying and Oates project Good Road to Follow. The
two will each perform from their solo repertoire
as well as their group hits on the current tour,
which makes another stop at the Warner Theatre.
Wednesday, April 30, at 8 p.m. Warner Theatre, 513
13th St. NW. Tickets are $85 to $270. Call 202-7834000 or visit warnertheatredc.com.

DUKE DUMONT

Part of a strong, young British crop of soul-informed

deep house DJs/producers also including Disclosure
and Gorgon City, Duke Dumont has had some
impressive early success, as his first two singles both

reached the top of the charts in the U.K. and also

snagged back-to-back dance Grammy nominations.
First was Need U (100%) featuring the Sierra
Leone-born British singer A*M*E, and next came
his song I Got U featuring producer Jax Jones and
vocalist Kelli-Leigh in an inspired interpolation and
homage to Whitney Houstons My Love Is Your
Love. Both feature on last years four-song EP1.
Heres hoping a full-length album is in the works.
Saturday, April 25. Doors at 10:30 p.m. Nightclub
9:30, 815 V St. NW. Tickets are $20. Call 202-2650930 or visit 930.com.

GILBERTO GIL

This Brazilian music legend is a leader of the

Tropiclia movement and was more recently a former Brazilian Minister of Culture. The singer/guitarist/composer returns to GW Lisner to perform
from his extensive catalogue. Friday, April 24, at 8
p.m. Lisner Auditorium, The George Washington
University, 730 21st St. NW. Tickets are $45 to $75.
Call 202-994-6800 or visit lisner.org.

KENNEDY CENTERS
CONSERVATORY PROJECT

Twice a year, the Kennedy Center showcases the

best young musical artists from leading music
schools through its Conservatory Project and its free
Millennium Stage programming. Remaining concerts
on tap this round include star students from Eastman
School of Music at Rochester University on Thursday,
April 23, Berklee College of Music on Friday, April
25, and Oberlin Conservatory of Music on Saturday,
April 26. All performances at 6 p.m. Kennedy Center
Terrace Theater. Tickets are free. Call 202-467-4600
or visit www.kennedy-center.org.

LILA DOWNS

Known for her smoky voice and magnetic performances, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lila
Downs offers a pan-Latin brand of folk-inspired
pop music that seems to channel her late compatriot
Chavela Vargas one minute, Celia Cruz the next,
even Shakira every now and then and occasionally all within the same song. Downs tours in support of her strong new album Balas y Chocolate
(Bullets and Chocolate in English), which includes
a sharp duet with another Colombian international
superstar, Juanes. Friday, May 1, at 8 p.m. Lisner
Auditorium, The George Washington University,
730 21st St. NW. Tickets are $40 to $60. Call 202994-6800 or visit lisner.org.

NEW YORK FESTIVAL OF SONG

Vocal Arts DC offers the return of this popular group

led by dueling pianists Michael Barrett and Steven
Blier, who this time out offer a revue with the theme
Letters from Spain: A World of Song from Spanish
Poetry. Soprano Corinne Winters, tenor Theo
Lebow and baritone Alexey Lavrov join to sing songs
by Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Bolcom
and Granados, among others. Thursday, April 30, at
7:30 p.m. Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Tickets
are $50. Call 202-467-4600 or visit www.kennedycenter.org.

NEW WORLD SYMPHONY

WITH ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER

Michael Tilson Thomas leads this symphony, billed

as Americas Orchestral Academy and comprised of
graduates of distinguished music programs around
the country. Washington Performing Arts presents
a concert also featuring star violinist Mutter in a
program of Franz Schubert, Alban Berg, Norbert

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31

Moret and Cluade Debussy. Wednesday, April 29, at

8 p.m. Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are $35
to $85. Call 202-467-4600 or visit www.kennedycenter.org.

RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES

Hollywood producer Dick Clark hired the covers

band Rain to perform the entire soundtrack to his
1979 documentary The Birth of the Beatles, and the
California group by that name has been perennially
touring the nation ever since, though with different
members. Rain works to re-create every note, song,
gesture and nuance of the Fab Four including
many of the bands later songs, which they never
actually performed live. Friday, May 1, at 8 p.m.
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane,
North Bethesda. Tickets are $48 to $88. Call 301-5815100 or visit strathmore.org.

SPANDAU BALLET

This much is true: These British white soul boys,

hitmakers from the 80s and part of the New
Romantic movement, have reunited after decades
apart, a time when a couple members went on to
some solo fame most notably Martin Kemp as an
actor in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Tuesday,
April 28. Doors at 7 p.m. 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW.
Tickets are $45. Call 202-265-0930 or visit 930.com.

STEPHIN MERRITT

The Magnetic Fields gay principal offers an acoustic

performance, accompanied by his longtime bandmate Sam Davol on cello, rifling through his repertoire of quirky, drolly-delivered folk-pop ditties.
More specifically, the concert focuses on performing
exactly 26 songs, whose song titles each start with
a different letter of the alphabet. Amy Bezunartea
opens. Sunday, May 3, at 8 p.m. Sixth & I Historic
Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. Tickets are $30 in advance

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or $35 day-of show. Call 202-408-3100 or visit sixthandi.org.

THE JUAN MACLEAN

New York dance-punk act The Juan MacLean, part

of James Murphys DFA Records family, are influenced by Giorgio Moroder, as can be heard on last
years great set In A Dream. Guitarist/keyboardist
John MacLean and vocalist Nancy Whang, also
known from her work in LCD Soundsystem, are the
groups principals, purveying a sound thats straight
out of a divey, dirty disco. Friday, May 1, at 10 p.m. U
Street Music Hall, 1115A U St. NW. Tickets are $10.
Call 202-588-1880 or visit ustreetmusichall.com.

UTE LEMPER

The popular German cabaret and jazz singer Ute

Lemper returns to Sixth and I with her newest
project, a song cycle set to the love poems of Nobel
Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda. Saturday, April
25, at 8 p.m. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. 600 I
St. NW. Tickets are $38. Call 202-408-3100 or visit
washingtonperformingarts.org

DANCE
PAN AMERICAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA:
SOLO TANGO

DC Tango Festival presents the Pan American

Symphonys Solo Tango, a best of tango performance featuring two bandoneon players, Argentine
tenor Martin de Leon and acclaimed tango dancers.
Saturday, April 25, at 8 p.m. Lisner Auditorium, The
George Washington University, 730 21st St. NW.
Tickets are $35 to $45. Call 202-994-6800 or visit
lisner.org.

THE COLLECTIVE,
CLANCYWORKS DANCE COMPANY

The program [re]wired features a collection of dance

works re-examining perspective and re-energizing
the spirit through innovative approaches to contemporary dance from choreographers associated
with these two companies, including Jessica Fultz,
Adrienne Kraus Latanishen, Kevin Truitt, Lauren
Withhart, Sarah Levitt of Dance Exchange and the
wizard of invention Adrienne Clancy. Thursday,
April 30, at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 2, at 8 p.m., and
Sunday, May 3, 3 p.m. Baltimore Theatre Project,
45 West Preston St. Baltimore. Tickets are $22. Call
410-752-8558 or visit theatreproject.org.

COMEDY
OPHIRA EISENBERG

Host of NPRs second-most popular trivia comedy

show Ask Me Another, this comedian and writer was
previously selected as one of New York Magazines
Top 10 Comics that Funny People Find Funny.
Matty Litwack opens for Eisenberg in this free
Millennium Stage performance also part of the new
initiative Comedy at the Kennedy Center. Sunday,
April 26, at 6 p.m. Kennedy Center Terrace Theater.
Tickets are free. Call 202-467-4600 or visit www.
kennedy-center.org.

AL MADIGRAL

This correspondent on Comedy Centrals The Daily

Show with Jon Stewart and also a regular on NBCs
About A Boy stops by the area next weekend for two
nights of comedy. Friday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. and
10:15 p.m., and Saturday, May 2, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia
Pike, Arlington. Tickets are $22. Call 703-486-2345
or visit arlingtondrafthouse.com.

READINGS
MARIA BELLO

WhateverLove Is Love: Questioning the Labels We Give Ourselves is the new

memoir from this actress known from her work in various films as well as from
NBCs ER. The title stems from her 12-year-old sons response when she revealed
to him that she had fallen in love with a woman. Bello will be in conversation with
Daniel Jones, editor of the Modern Love column in the New York Times, which
first published a shorter version of Bellos writing. Monday, May 4, at 7 p.m. Sixth
& I Historic Synagogue. 600 I St. NW. Tickets are $17, or $30 including one book,
$38 for two tickets and one book. Call 202-408-3100 or visit sixthandi.org.

NORA POUILLON

My Organic Life: How a Pioneering Chef Helped Shape the Way We Eat Today tells
the story of this influential Austrian-born local chef, whose Restaurant Nora in
Dupont Circle became the first certified organic restaurant in the country in 1999.
Among other Pouillon efforts that helped sprout the natural foods movement
was her work initiating D.C.s first producer-only farmers market, FreshFarm
Markets, which now oversees 11 markets in the area. Busboys and Poets owner
Andy Shallal will lead the conversation with Pouillon at his newest location, in the
Takoma neighborhood in D.C. Friday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. Busboys & Poets, 234
Carroll St. NW. Call 202-726-0856 or visit busboysandpoets.com.

Students and the Civil Rights Movement explores the new generation of student
leaders that emerged in the 1960s to fight segregation and fight for civil rights.
John Lewis, now a U.S. representative from Georgia, and Julian Bond, a former
chair of the NAACP, are among the leaders highlighted here. Through 2015.
Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $21.95 for general admission.
Call 888-NEWSEUM or visit newseum.org.

MODERN SCULPTURE: DIALOGUES IN THREE DIMENSIONS

While its galleries are closed for renovation and expansion, the National Gallery of
Art has set up throughout its East Building a special installation of modern sculpture from its renowned holdings. And three times a week, the gallery offers a new
60-minute guided tour highlighting these works, allowing patrons to engage with
each other in open-ended discussions about, in addition to the guide pointing out
connections between, the works on view, from Alexander Calders monumental
mobile Untitled from 1976 to Andy Goldsworthys decade-old Roof. The relationship between I.M. Peis East Building and John Russell Pops West Building is
also examined. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, at 1:30 p.m. National Gallery of
Art East Building Information Desk, 3rd Street at Constitution Avenue NW. Call
202-737-4215 or visit nga.gov.

GALLERIES
BEYOND BOLLYWOOD: INDIAN AMERICANS SHAPE THE NATION

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center presents this ambitious and colorful exhibition on the second floor of the National Museum of Natural History,
exploring the heritage, daily experiences and diverse contributions of Indians
and Indian Americans. Through Aug. 16. National Museum of Natural History,
10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Call 202-633-1000 or visit mnh.si.edu.

CONFLUENCE: CONSIDERING THE ANACOSTIA

Photographs of the Anacostia River are presented in an exhibit at the Anacostia

Arts Center and featuring the work of National Geographic freelance photographer Becky Harlan, local gallery artist David Allen Harris, wildlife and conservation photographer Krista Schlyer, and documentary-style photographer Bruce
McNeil. The exhibit coincides with the first-ever Anacostia River Festival, the
closing event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Through May 1. Anacostia
Arts Center, 1231 Good Hope Road SE. Call 202-631-6291 or visit anacostiaartscenter.com.

ELAINE DE KOONING: PORTRAITS

John F. Kennedy, poets Frank OHara and Allen Ginsberg, critic Harold
Rosenberg, choreographer Merce Cunningham, and painters Willem de Kooning
and Fairfield Porter are among the friends and family members represented in
a National Portrait Gallery retrospective of this abstract expressionist painters
work. Most of de Koonings paintings hang in private collection and have rarely
been seen by the public before. Now to Jan. 10, 2016. National Portrait Gallery, 8th
and F Streets. NW. Call 202-633-8300 or visit npg.si.edu.

FORDLANDIA: THE LOST CITY OF HENRY FORD

The Art Museum of the Americas presents the first in a series on megalomania
by British artist Dan Dubowitz, who took photographs a few years ago revealing
what became of the large chunk of land that Henry Ford bought in the Brazilian
rainforest just before the Great Depression. This was a delusion of grandeur
Ford was hoping to create a rubber-producing community, solely focused on
work that may have flopped royally, but it did succeed in encouraging other
wealthy tycoons as well as poor local gold-diggers to plunder the rainforest to try
other ways of making a profit. Dubowitz toured and photographed the deserted
Fordlandia a few years ago, and the new photos are contrasted by those from
Fords minions taken in the 1930s. Through May 1. Art Museum of the Americas,
Organization of American States, 1889 F St. NW. Call 202-370-0149 or visit
AMAmuseum.org to schedule an appointment.

IF THE SHOE FITS

The art and sole of the shoe is the focus of this multi-artist exhibition at
Strathmore, exploring the history and culture of footwear. In addition to a
miniature shoe collection and pieces from Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase, the
exhibition boasts designs by Marika Verploegh Chasse, Petros Chrisostomou,
Suzanne Firstenberg, Joyce Zipperer and students at the Rhode Island School of
Design. Through May 31. The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North
Bethesda. Call 301-581-5100 or visit strathmore.org.

MAKE SOME NOISE: STUDENTS AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

Pegged to the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and just one of
several exhibitions at the Newseum marking the occasion, Make Some Noise:

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ORCHIDS:
INTERLOCKING SCIENCE AND BEAUTY

Orchids: Interlocking Science and Beauty is the

20th annual orchid exhibition presented by the
U.S. Botanic Garden and the Smithsonian Gardens.
Featuring several hundred colorful flowering plants
on any given day, the focus is on how new ideas,
technologies and inventions are changing the way
we study, protect and enjoy orchids. Closes this
Sunday, April 26. First Floor in the Special Exhibits
Hall, National Museum of Natural History, 10th
Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Call 202-6331000 or visit mnh.si.edu.

SHIPS, CLOCKS & STARS:

THE QUEST FOR LONGITUDE

The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich,

England, assembled this exhibition focused on the
difficulty in determining longitude at sea and including various timekeepers and astronomical tables,
plus paintings from Captain Cooks Pacific voyages.
Through Aug. 23. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201
East Capitol St. SE. Call 202-544-7077 or visit folger.
edu.

THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964:

A LONG STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM

The Library of Congress commemorates the 50th

anniversary of the Civil Rights Act with a yearlong
exhibition highlighting legal and legislative victories
and shedding light on the individuals who shaped
the civil rights movement. Through Sept. 12. The
Library of Congresss Thomas Jefferson Building,
10 First St. SE. Call 202-707-8000 or visit loc.gov/
exhibits.

THE VISIONARY EXPERIENCE:

SAINT FRANCIS TO FINSTER

COURTESY HILLWOOD ESTATE, MUSEUM AND GARDENS

Baltimores quirky Visionary Art Museum offers

its 20th annual exhibition, this one championing
lifes grand Eureka! moments, held in common
by Earths most dynamic and intuitive evolutionaries, from inventors, scientists, Americas founding fathers, dreamers and saints. The show was
co-curated by filmmaker and publisher Jodi Wille
and AVAM founder and director Rebecca Alban
Hoffberger. Through Aug. 30. American Visionary
Art Museum, 800 Key Highway. Baltimore. Tickets
are $15.95. Call 410-244-1900 or visit avam.org.

WINDOW TO WASHINGTON

SPLENDOR & SURPRISE:

ELEGANT CONTAINERS, ANTIQUE TO MODERN

The Hillwood Museum presents a special exhibition featuring more than 80 remarkable boxes, coffers,
chests and other containers that reveal the ways in which cultures have contained their most treasured
items and everyday objects over the past four centuries. Through June 7. Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Ave.
NW. Suggested donation is $12. Call 202-686-5807 or visit HillwoodMuseum.org.

MONSTER FISH:
IN SEARCH OF THE LAST RIVER GIANTS

Based on the popular National Geographic Wild

series, this interactive exhibit includes clips from the
series, life-size fish sculptures and several familyfriendly activities designed to educate visitors about
the massive fish that Dr. Zeb Hogan, the aquatic
ecologist who is the host of the Monster Fish series,
has spent decades exploring. Now to Oct. 11. National
Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW. Tickets are
$11. Call 202-857-7588 or visit ngmuseum.org.
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ONCE THERE WERE BILLIONS

Once There Were Billions: Vanished Birds of North

America documents those species of birds weve lost
on this continent over the past two centuries, from
the puffin-like great auck to the Carolina parakeet
to the heath hen to the passenger pigeon, not to be
confused with the commonplace carrier pigeon.
Through October. National Museum of Natural
History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW.
Call 202-633-1000 or visit mnh.si.edu.

Window to Washington: The Kiplinger Collection

at HSW is an exhibition at Washingtons Carnegie
Library that traces the development of the nations
capital from a sleepy Southern town to a modern
metropolis, as documented through the works of
artists. The Historical Society of Washington, D.C.,
exhibition was made possible by a donation from the
Kiplinger family. Its also an early step in a reorganization effort by the society, which has struggled
to revive ever since its short-lived effort a decade
ago to run a City Museum of Washington proved too
ambitious. Open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. The Historical Society of Washington,
D.C., at the Carnegie Library, 801 K St. NW. Call 202393-1420 or visit dchistory.org.

ZEN, TEA AND

CHINESE ART IN MEDIEVAL JAPAN

Well-known expressions of Japanese culture have

their roots in Chinese arts and ideas, from Buddhism
to tea to ink painting. The Smithsonian Institutions
Freer Gallery of Art offers an exhibition featuring
Chinese and Japanese paintings, lacquer ware and
ceramics from the 13th through the 19th centuries.
Through June 14. Freer Gallery of Art, Jefferson
Drive at 12th Street SW. Call 202-633-1000 or visit
asia.si.edu. l

food

JAMIE LEEDS BY JAQUI DEPAS - FOOD BY DANIEL SWARTZ

On the Half Shell

Jamie Leeds prepares to crack
open some bivalves for Hanks
eighth annual Oyster Fest
by DOUG RULE

IGHT YEARS AGO, CHEF JAMIE LEEDS WANTed to throw a party. Naturally, given the name of her
restaurant Hanks Oyster Bar it would be one
centered on her favorite bivalves.
We thought wed provide all-you-can-eat oysters, drink beer
and just have a good time, Leeds says. We wanted to do something for the community to bring people together the neighbors and all the support that we had gotten from our regulars.
The result was Oyster Fest.

Of course, the support Hanks garnered in its first two years

was even sweeter and more critical than it otherwise would have
been. Only two years prior, in the spring of 2005, it wasnt even
clear that Hanks would open. At that time, there was the very
real chance that a mere handful of D.C. residents might derail
the restaurant, via a petition this so-called gang of six had filed
with the citys Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration.
The development came after Leeds had spent many months
pouring her home equity into the space that had been Trios
Pizza, just off the intersection of 17th and Q Streets.
It was hard to deal with that, Leeds concedes now. But we
persevered.
The inviting, attractive restaurant, named after Leeds late
father, opened to great fanfare in May 2005, garnering accolades
in prominent media outlets including the Washington Post and
Gourmet. To this day, waits can be long for a table outside on
the patio, even after doubling in size through an expansion four
years ago.
Hanks has expanded to other locations as well. Leeds now
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The 8th Annual Oyster Fest is Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to
3 p.m. at Hanks Oyster Bar, 1624 Q St. NW. Tickets are $80 for
all-you-can-eat oysters and draft beer. Call 202-462-4265. Visit
hanksoysterbar.com. l

PHOTO COURTESY OF HANKS OYSTER BAR

has two additional locations, in Old Town Alexandria and on

Capitol Hill. This fall will usher in a sixth annual Oyster Fest at
the Old Town location, but the original Oyster Fest in Dupont is
set for this Saturday, April 25.
Leeds is looking forward to celebrating her tenth anniversary
in Dupont next month with yet another all-you-can-eat affair
on Monday, May 18. Were throwing a big party all-you-caneat food and drink for free for the neighbors, the regulars, all the
people that work with us, all of our vendors.
The restaurants success owes much to the support from
regulars, those who cant get enough of arguably the best Lobster
Roll in town, as well as other standouts including raw oysters
on the half shell, an Oyster PoBoy and popcorn shrimp and
calamari. Among the non-seafood specials are Molasses Braised
Short Ribs, offered Mondays and Tuesdays, slow-cooked so the
meat falls right off the bone.
Leeds, who originally trained in New York under Danny
Meyer of Shake Shack fame, attributes the longevity to her staff.
We do a lot of training, and have a great group of people, people

that have been working for me since the beginning, she says.
I have a very dedicated, motivated and committed staff, and I
think that makes a big difference in the guest experience.
Of course a lot has changed in D.C.s dining scene over the
last decade. A lot more local, chef-driven restaurants have
opened up in D.C. its a great community of chefs, Leeds says.
Theres a lot of camaraderie, a lot of support among the chefs,
which you dont find in many cities. Still, the former president
of Women Chefs & Restaurateurs wishes there were more
female chefs out there.
There are not as many as Id like to see, but there are a few
good women, she says, citing Marjorie Meek-Bradley of Ripple
and Roofers Union, Tracy OGrady and Kate Jensen of Willow,
Ruth Gresser of Pizzeria Paradiso, and Ann Cashion of Cashions
Eat Place, Johnnys Half Shell and Taqueria Nacional.
A few years ago Leeds closed her short-lived Columbia
Heights gastropub CommonWealth, but shes intent on building more restaurants. Shes already announced plans for another oyster bar in the developing Wharf project on the Southwest
Waterfront near Arena Stage, though it wont open until 2017.
Leeds will soon open Twisted Horn, a new cocktail and small
plates bar on Upshur Street in Petworth.
Its a thriving community, says Leeds about her own new
neighborhood. I have a lot of friends who live there that want
a place to go nearby. So I thought, lets look here and see what
we can do.

tech

Sony Zzz4
Complacency is bad for business,
bad for consumers, and is destroying
Sonys smartphone division
by RHUARIDH MARR

SONY

OMPLACENCY IS DANGEROUS. ALLOWING

work to stagnate, ignoring suggestions to improve,
and refusing to better ones output can have severe
consequences. Complacency at school warrants a
stern letter home to your parents. Complacency in a relationship
invariably leads to dissatisfaction, a wine-soaked breakup and
loneliness. If Im complacent with my columns, our loving editor
beats me with his MacBook and throws me in the Potomac it

ensures you get the best content possible.

Complacency in business, however especially one embedded in the consumer market is downright suicidal. Refreshing
inventory, staying on top of market trends, redesigning key products, cultivating loyal users and commercial appeal: complacency has no place in business. That, perhaps, is why its so bizarre
to see Sony, a company once known for pushing the boundaries
of consumer technology, so willing to let its flagship smartphone
line slowly and painfully dig its own grave.
When it launched in early 2013, the Xperia Z smartphone
was something of a revelation. Its 13 MP camera took incredibly
detailed images, its Full HD screen was colorful and pixel dense,
Sonys customizations to Android were light, the phone was fast,
and battery life was great. A glass front and back sandwiched
a water- and dust-proof design as durable as it was handsome.
Sony had a device that could rival the best from Samsung, HTC,
LG and others.
Except, nobody really wanted it. While it sold well in Europe
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37

and other regions, Sony failed to grab America. Apple and

Samsung dominated and carriers balked at Sonys low share
of the smartphone market. So, faced with a great device that
Americans didnt want, Sony powered ahead with a strategy
that had been failing it since 2011, by launching a brand new
flagship just six months later though the West favors a yearly
release schedule, Japan prefer six month upgrade cycles, and
Sony has adhered to those for all markets. Since the original
Z, weve had the Z1 (late 2013), the Z2 (early 2014), and the Z3
(late 2014). In that time, Sony has refined the original design. Its
glass sandwich now contains an aluminum filling, its processor
has remained on point, the screen has remained Full HD but has
improved in quality, the camera has bumped up to 20MP, and
battery life has increased with each version.
Except, all of those improvements happened on the Z1.
Over two successive launches, the Z2 and Z3, Sonys updates
amounted to a fresh coat of paint and deep-cleaning the carpets.
For whatever logic that permeates in Sonys Japanese headquarters, launching a near identical device every six months was the
perfect way to capture Android buyers and iPhone converts.
Unsurprisingly, it hasnt panned out.
Look, I own a Z3. Its a good smartphone. It doesnt bog
down, it lasts for up to two days on a charge, and in the right conditions its camera produces some great images. Every Z device
has earned plaudits from critics for being good all-rounders. But
being good simply doesnt cut it anymore. Apple overhauled the
iPhone, Samsung took the Galaxy S6 in for extensive cosmetic
surgery, and LG look set to introduce their G4 next week with
a renewed focus on premium materials. Sony has been churning
out essentially the same design for two years now.
Thats what makes the just-announced Z4 all the more baffling. Even Sonys reveal suggested its ashamed of how woefully
underwhelming its latest flagship is. Quietly revealed on their
Japanese website, theres no international launch planned and a
set of specifications that looks far too familiar. When it became
apparent Sony wasnt going to launch the Z4 in February (six
months after the Z3), rumors abounded that it was taking the
Z line back to the drawing board to better compete with its
heavily-updated rivals. Sorry, internet, but unless Sony has a different device in the works for release outside of Japan, weve got
a delicious helping of same-old to enjoy.
Whats even more concerning is that some of Sonys updates
make the Z4 worse than the device it purports to replace. Sure,
its thinner, lighter and packs the latest Snapdragon 810 chip.
Thats great. The sacrifice? That powerful processor is being
driven by a smaller battery than before, so you can forget two
days of charge unless Sony is throttling the life out of the 810.

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But theres a bigger camera on the front for better selfies!

Great, except there wasnt anything wrong with the camera the
new 5MP unit was replacing. Instead, Sonys main issue was
round the back. That 20.7MP Exmor RS camera may sound
impressive on paper, and indeed it is. Or, rather, was 20
months ago, when it launched on the Xperia Z1. Since then,
Apples iPhone and Samsungs Galaxy Note and Galaxy S lines
have surpassed Sony with lower megapixel cameras. That
Sony hasnt introduced optical image stabilization, which vastly
improves image quality, on the Z4 is idiotic especially given
that they make the sensor that Samsung and Apple use for their
phones, both of which outperform Sonys efforts.
Perhaps most egregious, however, is that, unless youre
a smartphone nerd, you simply wont notice the difference
between a Z3 and a Z4. Unless you require your device to have
a mild case of anorexia and sport the latest internals, the Z3
remains plenty powerful, plenty capable and likely costs a good
deal less than the Z4 will (no price has been announced yet).
I dont want to demonize Sony, as its not alone in this
respect. Apple is more than happy to rest on its laurels every two
years with S variants of the iPhone. They invariably amount
to little more than a fresh processor and a token upgrade or
two, but Apple can make those small changes as it knows that
consumers will still eat it up Apple is, in some ways, where
Sony used to be. People covet the brand, and will buy whatever
it has to sell. A better comparison, in that respect, might be HTC.
With its One range, in three years HTC hasnt seen fit to vary too
wildly in terms of design. This year, it could be accused of the
same complacency as Sony the One M9 has a camera thats
apparently worse than last year, and an overall design and spec
sheet thats not wildly dissimilar to the One M8. However, HTC
enjoys support from every major carrier Sony has launched on
T-Mobile in the U.S., and thats it. HTC will likely be punished
for its lazy update, but its in a much stronger place than Sony
can claim to be.
Where Sonys biggest threat lies, and indeed has always lied,
is in Samsung. After two years of mediocre, plasticky handsets,
the Korean giant listened to its critics and stripped the Galaxy
S back to the essentials, rebuilding it into one of the most desirable smartphones currently available that includes the iPhone.
Samsung unveiled the jaw-dropping S6 Edge and its plain
sibling to critical acclaim, with premium construction, great
cameras and brilliant displays. Samsung sacrificed some features microSD slot, waterproofing, removable battery but
made a more desirable, better rounded device for the majority
of consumers.
Sonys problem is that, for quite some time, it was making a
better smartphone than Samsung, but very few were interested.
Now, the tables have turned. Sony is still making a good smartphone but Samsung is now making a great one. Sony cant
argue looks, it cant trumpet build quality, it cant tout the camera, its screen is no longer market-leading.
Perhaps most telling of all are the billions of dollars Sonys
smartphone division lost last year. With an uncertain future
selling smartphones, a complete lack of consumer interest in
America, and a stagnant design department, is it any wonder
Sony created a paint-by-numbers device to satisfy whatever
Japanese demand there was?
If Sony is merely stalling until it launches a truly resurgent,
resplendent global flagship, something to compete with its rivals
on every count, then its playing a dangerous game. If this is a last
gasp from a company capable of much better, its a cautionary
tale on the dangers of being complacent. l

home

Living Ledge

Pocket Garden
Tips for urban gardening even
for those without a window
PHOTO COURTESY REX DESIGN CONCEPTS LLC

by DOUG RULE

TS NOT EASY, BEING GREEN.

Its even harder in an urban environment, with outdoor
space at a premium and direct sunlight a precious commodity.
Still, Kim Roman just wont take no for an answer. A U.S. Air
Force veteran and former military intelligence officer, Roman
now battles against the dearth of vegetation in our concrete
jungles.
Theres no reason you cant grow a little bit of something,
even if the only thing you have is a window, she says. In fact,
Roman has a solution for those who dont even have a window
or cant readily get outside. All you need is a modular shelving

system and proper lights and youll be good to grow.

You can buy one of those systems with shelves and hang it
on a wall, and then have grow lights. Thats a really good system
if you use a wheelchair and you cant even get outside. It gives
you a little bit of something green and fresh.
A certified square foot gardening instructor, Roman started Square Foot Gardening 4 U four years ago to teach people
how to grow vegetables in small spaces. Romans approach
is not only more suitable for urban living, its also touted as
easier, more efficient and more environmentally friendly than
traditional methods that require more space, more water and
more work.
Roman will stop by Alexandrias Ten Thousand Villages on
Sunday, April 26, to share some insights about several smallspace, high-intensive vegetable gardening methods that she
says require no digging, no tilling, no weeding...no kidding.
In the week leading up to the demonstration, beginning Friday,
April 17, the Old Town fair-trade retailer will put all of its planters and other garden items on sale, including space-saving hanging pocket planters from Cambodia. Of course, you could also
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39

be green (Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22) and re-purpose

an old household item to create your own raised-bed garden. I
show how to use a broken laundry hamper that I just line with
cloth and fill with soil and cut some holes in for drainage. That
could work for strawberries, for example, or gourmet lettuces
in the shade.
For a window or glass door, Roman recommends clear acrylic
hanging planters called Living Ledge. They come in different
sizes and have super strong suction cups. People dont have to
worry about them not sticking. You could even consider a Living
Ledge on the shiny tile backdrop you might have in your kitchen
provided you could also install grow lights. Regular underthe-counter lights are probably not suited to the task of growing
plants, which essentially require a minimum Lumen (or brightness) number of 2000 and a minimum Kelvin (color) of 4100.
Of course you mustnt forget your roots. With any smallspace method, you are going to need super-rich soil. You could
make your own, mixing in equal parts vermiculite, peat moss
and compost, or you could pick up a bag of organic vegetable
mix called Pro-Mix. Roman uses a Square Foot Garden Mix from
Veteran Compost, and this Aberdeen, Md.-based company can
make arrangements to deliver the mix to you or let you pick it up
at locations throughout the region, including one in D.C.
But what to grow? If you can only grow one thing, the best
thing is cilantro, Roman says. Any herb is worth the time.
Herbs grown from seed are particularly cost-effective, and can
be grown at pennies on the dollar over their fully grown incarnations at the grocery store, even if you think youre being smart
by buying a basil plant and not just loose leaves. Those are not
really good plants, Roman warns. Theyre not meant to survive. They want you to continue to buy them. One additional

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METROWEEKLY.COM

herbal tip: They like to have a friend with them. So its best to
plant two next to each other.
Roman harvested 250 pounds of vegetables last year from her
own small backyard in Glen Burnie, Md., but shes not exactly
self-sufficient. She doesnt do enough canning or freezing for
one thing, but shes also just too generous, preferring to share,
not stockpile, her bounty. As a matter of fact Im in the middle

CBCK

of writing a book called Kindness in Kale about how to use your

garden to help other people.
The first step, of course, is to help yourself and to learn.
Gardening, like cooking, is kind of an imprecise science,
Roman says. Youve got to be willing to experiment. Not everything is going to work, and youre not going to like everything.
But unless you give it a try, youll never know.

The Small Space Gardening Demo is Sunday, April 26, at 1:30

p.m. at Ten Thousand Villages, 915 King St. Alexandria. Call 703684-1435 or visit alexandria.tenthousandvillages.com.
For more information about Kim Roman and Square Foot
Gardening 4 U in Glen Burnie, Md., call 443-995-1288 or visit
sfg4u.com. l

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NIGHT

LIFE
LISTINGS
THURS., 04.23.15

9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm Multiple
TVs showing movies,
shows, sports Expanded
craft beer selection No
Cover Music videos featuring DJ Wess
ANNIES/ANNIES
UPSTAIRS
4@4 Happy Hour, 4pm-7pm
$4 Small Plates, $4 Stella
Artois, $4 House Wines,
$4 Stolichnaya Cocktails,
$4 Manhattans and Vodka
Martinis
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $6 Call
Martini, $3 Miller Lite, $4
Rail, $5 Call, 4-9pm $3
Rail Drinks, 10pm-midnight,
$5 Red Bull, Gatorade
and Frozen Virgin Drinks
Locker Room Thursday
Nights DJs Sean Morris
and MadScience Ripped
Hot Body Contest at midnight, hosted by Sasha
J. Adams and BaNaka
$200 Cash Prize Doors
open 10pm, 18+ $5 Cover
under 21 and free with
college ID
DC9
1940 9TH ST. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com

FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm Dining Out
for Life, 6-10pm $35 per
person

DC EAGLE
Throwback Thursday
Ted on the Bar, Peter on
the Boot Black Chair
Men in DC Eagle T-shirts
drink $1 rail and domestic,
5pm-close

METROWEEKLY.COM

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APRIL 23, 2015

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scene
Cherry Gravity at
The Howard Theatre
Friday, April 17
scan this tag
with your
smartphone
for bonus scene
pics online!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY
WARD MORRISON

GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Ladies Drink Free Power
Hour, 4-5pm Shirtless
Thursday, 10-11pm DJs
BacK2bACk
JR.S
All You Can Drink for $15,
5-8pm $3 Rail Vodka
Highballs, $2 JR.s drafts,
8pm-close Throwback
Thursday featuring rock/pop
retro hits
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Beat The Clock Happy Hour
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
Beer $15
NUMBER NINE
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
TOWN PATIO
Open 5pm No Cover
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers
Shirtless Thursday DJ
Tim-e in Secrets 9pm
Cover 21+

FRI., 04.24.15

9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy Hour:
2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
Friday Night Videos with
resident DJ Shea Van Horn
VJ Expanded craft beer
selection No cover
ANNIES
4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm
$4 Small Plates, $4 Stella
Artois, $4 House Wines,
$4 Stolichnaya Cocktails,
$4 Manhattans and Vodka
Martinis Upstairs open
5-11pm
COBALT/30 DEGREES
All You Can Drink Happy
Hour $15 Rail &
Domestic, $21 Call &
Imports, 6-9pm Guys
Night Out Free Belvedere
Vodka, 11pm-Midnight, $6
Belvedere Vodka Drinks all
night DJ MadScience
presents, 10pm-3am
$10 cover 10pm-1am, $5
after 1am 21+

DC9
1940 9TH ST. NW
Happy Hour, 4-8pm
dcnine.com
DC BEAR CRUE
@Town Bear Happy
Hour, 6-11pm $3 Rail,
$3 Draft, $3 Bud Bottles
Free Pizza, 7pm Hosted
by Charger Stone No
cover before 9:30pm 21+
DC EAGLE
Capital Area Board - All
Clubs on Club Bar for Pride
2015
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5
Smirnoff, all flavors, all
night long
JR.S
$2 Skyy Highballs and $2
Drafts, 10pm-midnight
Happy Hour: 2-for-1,
4-9pm Retro Friday
$5 Coronas, $8 Vodka Red
Bulls, 9pm-close

NELLIES SPORTS BAR

DJ Matt Bailer Videos,
Dancing Beat The Clock
Happy Hour $2 (5-6pm),
$3 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm)
Buckets of Beer $15
Washington Prodigy
Womens Tackle Football
Season Kickoff Party,
8-10pm
NUMBER NINE
Open 5pm Happy Hour: 2
for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
No Cover
TOWN
Drag Show starts at
10:30pm Hosted by Lena
Lett and featuring Miss
Tatianna, Shi-QueetaLee, Epiphany B. Lee
and BaNaka DJ Wess
upstairs, BacK2bACk
downstairs Doors open
at 10pm For those 21 and
over, $5 from 10-11pm and
$10 after 11pm For those
18-20, $12 all night 18+
TOWN PATIO
Open 5pm No Cover,
5-10pm, $5 from 10-11pm
and $10 after 11pm (enter
through Town)

ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers,
hosted by LaTroya Nicole
Ladies of Illusion with host
Kristina Kelly, 9pm DJ
Steve Henderson in Secrets
VJ Tre in Ziegfelds
Cover 21+
SAT., 04.25.15

9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy
Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink,
3-9pm $5 Absolut &
Titos, $3 Miller Lite after
9pm Expanded craft
beer selection No Cover
Music videos featuring
various DJs
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Drag Yourself to Brunch at
Level One, 11am-2pm and
2-4pm Featuring Kristina
Kelly and the Ladies of
Illusion Bottomless
Mimosas and Bloody
Marys Happy Hour: $3
Miller Lite, $4 Rail, $5
Call, 4-9pm Sherry Vine
Dinner Show at Level One,
8-10pm Reservations
available via seatme.yelp.
com AFTERGLOW Dance

METROWEEKLY.COM

Party, 10pm-close $7
before midnight, $10 after
midnight 21+
DC9
1940 9TH ST. NW
Happy Hour, 4-6pm
dcnine.com
DC EAGLE
Centaur MC on Club Bar
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Diner-style Breakfast
Buffet, 10am-3pm Crazy
Hour, 4-7pm Freddies
Follies Drag Show, hosted
by Ms. Destiny B. Childs,
8-10pm Karaoke, 10pmclose
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5
Bacardi, all flavors, all
night long
JR.S
$4 Coors, $5 Vodka highballs, $7 Vodka Red Bulls
NELLIES
Guest DJs Zing Zang
Bloody Marys, Nellie Beer,
House Rail Drinks and
Mimosas, $4, 11am-5pm
Buckets of Beer, $15

APRIL 23, 2015

45

NUMBER NINE
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 3-9pm No Cover
TOWN
CTRL 3-Year Anniversary
Electropop Dance Party,
11pm-close Featuring
Katya from RuPauls Drag
Race, Season 7 Music
and videos downstairs with
DJ Wess Drag Show
starts at 10:30pm Hosted
by Lena Lett and featuring
Miss Tatianna, Shi-QueetaLee, Epiphany B. Lee and
BaNaka Doors open
10pm Cover $10 from
10-11pm, $12 after 11pm
21+

46

APRIL 23, 2015

METROWEEKLY.COM

SUN., 04.26.15

9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 3-9pm Multiple
TVs showing movies,
shows, sports Expanded
craft beer selection No
Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
$4 Stoli, Stoli flavors
and Miller Lite all day
Homowood Karaoke, 10pmclose No Cover, 21+
DC9
1940 9TH ST. NW
Happy Hour, 2-6pm
dcnine.com

TOWN PATIO
Open 2pm No Cover,
2-10pm, Cover $10 from
10-11pm, $12 after 11pm
(enter through Town)

DC EAGLE
Highwaymen TNT Host
Barbecue, Fish-Fry and Beer
Blast, 4-8pm

ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Men of Secrets, 9pm
Guest dancers Ladies
of Illusion with host Ella
Fitzgerald, 9pm DJ Steve
Henderson in Secrets
DJ Don T. in Ziegfelds
Doors 8pm Cover 21+

FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Champagne Brunch Buffet,
10am-3pm DC Gurly
Show presents Over the
Rainbow!: A Burlesque
Brunch Wizard of Oz Tribute
Show Doors open 12pm,
show starts at 1pm Show
and Brunch (Beer included),

$22 in advance, $25 at the

door Tickets available via
dcgurlyshow.com Crazy
Hour, 4-7pm Karaoke,
8pm-1am
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $3
Smirnoff, all flavors, all
night #SundayFunday
upstairs Wear your favorite sports jersey upstairs
and get free Smirnoff,
6-7pm Mamas Trailer
Park Karaoke, 9:30pm-close
JR.S
Sunday Funday Liquid
Brunch Doors open at
1pm $2 Coors Lights &
$3 Skyy (all flavors), all day
and night
NELLIES
Drag Brunch, hosted by
Shi-Queeta-Lee, 11am-3pm
$20 Brunch Buffet
House Rail Drinks, Zing
Zang Bloody Marys, Nellie
Beer and Mimosas, $4,
11am-close Buckets of
Beer, $15
NUMBER NINE
Pop Goes the World with
Wes Della Volla at 9:30

pm Happy Hour: 2 for

1 on any drink, 3-9pm
No Cover
TOWN PATIO
Open 2pm No Cover
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers
Decades of Dance DJ
Tim-e in Secrets Doors
8pm Cover 21+
MON., 04.27.15

9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy Hour:
2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
Multiple TVs showing
movies, shows, sports
Expanded craft beer selection No Cover
ANNIES
4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm
$4 Small Plates, $4 Stella
Artois, $4 House Wines,
$4 Stolichnaya Cocktails,
$4 Manhattans and Vodka
Martinis
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $2 Rail, $3
Miller Lite, $5 Call, 4-9pm
RuPauls Drag Race

Viewing and Drag Show

hosted by Kristina Kelly
Doors open at 10pm, show
starts at 11pm $3 Skyy
Cocktails, $8 Skyy and Red
Bull No Cover, 18+
DC9
1940 9TH ST. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com
FREDDIES
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour All Night Long,
4pm-close Michaels
Open Mic Night Karaoke,
9:30pm-close
JR.S
Happy Hour: 2-for-1, 4-9pm
Showtunes Songs &
Singalongs, 9pm-close
DJ Jamez $3 Draft Pints,
8pm-midnight
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Beat The Clock Happy Hour
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
Beer $15 Poker Texas
Holdem, 8pm Dart
Boards

NUMBER NINE
Open 5pm Happy Hour: 2
for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
No Cover

DC9
1940 9TH ST. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com

TOWN PATIO
Open 5pm No Cover

FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm

TUES., 04.28.15

9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy Hour:
2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
Multiple TVs showing
movies, shows, sports
Expanded craft beer selection No Cover
ANNIES
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $4
Stella Artois, $4 House
Wines, $4 Stolichnaya
Cocktails, $4 Manhattans
and Vodka Martinis
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $2 Rail, $3
Miller Lite, $5 Call, 4-9pm
SIN Industry Night
Half-price Cocktails, 10pmclose

GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour All Night Long,
4pm-close
JR.S
Birdie La Cage Show,
10:30pm Underground
(Indie Pop/Alt/Brit Rock),
9pm-close DJ Wes
Della Volla 2-for-1, 5pmmidnight
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Beat The Clock Happy Hour
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
Beer $15 Karaoke and
Drag Bingo
NUMBER NINE
Open 5pm Happy Hour: 2
for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
No Cover Safe Word: A
Gay Spelling Bee, 8-11pm
Prizes to top three
spellers After 9pm, $3
Absolut, Bulleit & Stella

TOWN PATIO
Open 5pm No Cover
WED., 04.29.15

9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm Multiple
TVs showing movies,
shows, sports Expanded
craft beer selection No
Cover
ANNIES
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $4
Stella Artois, $4 House
Wines, $4 Stolichnaya
Cocktails, $4 Manhattans
and Vodka Martinis
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $2 Rail, $3
Miller Lite, $5 Call, 4-9pm
Wednesday Night
Karaoke downstairs, 10pm
Hosted by Miss Sasha
Adams $4 Stoli and Stoli
Flavors and Miller Lite
No Cover 21+
DC9
1940 9TH ST. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com

METROWEEKLY.COM

FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Crazy Hour, 4-7pm $6
Burgers Drag Bingo
Night, hosted by Ms.
Regina Jozet Adams
Bingo prizes Karaoke,
10pm-1am
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $4
Drafts all night long Boys
of HUMP upstairs, 9pm
JR.S
Trivia with MC Jay Ray,
8pm The Queen Amateur
Drag Competition, hosted
by BaNaka, 10-11pm, with
a $200 prize Buy 1, Get
1 Free, 4-9pm $2 JRs
Drafts & $4 Vodka ($2 with
College I.D./JRs Team
Shirt)
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
SmartAss Trivia Night, 8pm
and 9pm Prizes include
bar tabs and tickets to
shows at the 9:30 Club
$15 Buckets of Beer for
SmartAss Teams only
Bring a new team member
and each get a free $10
Dinner

APRIL 23, 2015

47

NUMBER NINE
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
TOWN PATIO
Open 5pm No Cover
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers
Shirtless Night, 10-11pm,
12-12:30am Military
Night, no cover with
military ID DJ Don T. in
Secrets 9pm Cover 21+
THURS., 04.30.15

9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm Multiple
TVs showing movies,
shows, sports Expanded
craft beer selection No
Cover Music videos featuring DJ Wess
ANNIES/ANNIES
UPSTAIRS
4@4 Happy Hour, 4pm-7pm
$4 Small Plates, $4 Stella
Artois, $4 House Wines,
$4 Stolichnaya Cocktails,
$4 Manhattans and Vodka
Martinis

48

APRIL 23, 2015

METROWEEKLY.COM

COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $6 Call
Martini, $3 Miller Lite, $4
Rail, $5 Call, 4-9pm $3
Rail Drinks, 10pm-midnight,
$5 Red Bull, Gatorade
and Frozen Virgin Drinks
Locker Room Thursday
Nights DJs Sean Morris
and MadScience Ripped
Hot Body Contest at midnight, hosted by Sasha
J. Adams and BaNaka
$200 Cash Prize Doors
open 10pm, 18+ $5 Cover
under 21 and free with
college ID
DC9
1940 9TH ST. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com
DC EAGLE
Throwback Thursday
Ted on the Bar, Peter on
the Boot Black Chair
Men in DC Eagle T-shirts
drink $1 rail and domestic,
5pm-close
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm

GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Ladies Drink Free Power
Hour, 4-5pm Shirtless
Thursday, 10-11pm DJs
BacK2bACk
JR.S
All You Can Drink for $15,
5-8pm $3 Rail Vodka
Highballs, $2 JR.s drafts,
8pm-close Throwback
Thursday featuring rock/pop
retro hits
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Beat The Clock Happy Hour
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
Beer $15 Drag Bingo
NUMBER NINE
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
TOWN PATIO
Open 5pm No Cover
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers
Shirtless Thursday DJ
Tim-e in Secrets 9pm
Cover 21+ l

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE

49

scene
Rock Hard Sundays
Grand Opening at
The House Nightclub
Sunday, April 19
scan this tag
with your
smartphone
for bonus scene
pics online!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY
WARD MORRISON

50

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE

51

scene
Town & Country
at Town
Saturday, April 18
scan this tag
with your
smartphone
for bonus scene
pics online!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY
CHRISTOPHER CUNETTO

52

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE

53

What a parent needs to do more than anything is jump in there with love and support. You made em.
Theyre a gift from God. Love em as they are.
Country music icon REBA MCENTIRE, speaking with PrideSource. McEntire welcomes having a gay grandchild, stating that
parents need to be more supportive of their children. Love can go a long, long ways whether theyre gay or not, she said.

The bottom line is, I believe that

sexual preference is something people are born with.
Republican presidential candidate Senator MARCO RUBIO (R., Florida), speaking on CBSs Face the Nation. Rubio opposes
same-sex marriage, but would attend the wedding of a gay relative or staffer, saying If theres somebody that I love thats in
my life, I dont necessarily have to agree with their decisions...to love them and participate in important events.

Lets end this silliness, accept everyone for who they are
and what they are, and embrace that and move on.

Actor BRYAN CRANSTON, speaking with GLAAD at the opening of Finding Neverland on Broadway. Ive been a big supporter
of gay rights for forever, and I think its absurd that theres still an issue about marriage, Cranston said. I mean, I think
its insulting also to the gay community to have to constantly bring this up again and again.

A homosexual man is a man 100%.

He does not need to dress homosexual.
Fashion designer GEORGIO ARMANI, speaking with the Sunday Times. When homosexuality is exhibited to the extreme,
he added, to say, Ah, you know Im homosexual, that has nothing to do with me. A man has to be a man.

Grindr in a lot of places is the unique place for gay men to meet each other.
Theres no gay bars, theres no gay life.
Were very proud of that.

JOEL SIMKHAI, founder and CEO of Grindr, speaking with Bloomberg. The gay dating and hookup app is used in 192 countries
around the world, even though its illegal to be gay in over 70 countries in this world.

54

APRIL 23, 2015

METROWEEKLY.COM

METROWEEKLY.COM

APRIL 23, 2015

55