Volume 46, Issue 18, May 1, 2015

MAY
0 1
2 0 1 5
v o l u m e 4 6
i ssu e 18
Am e ri c a s G a y Ne w s Source
w a shingtonbl a de.com
A great day for equality

Supreme Court hears marriage cases
PAGES 14-18
WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY
CROSSROADS
THEYRE SORRY
DONT LABEL HER
LGBT activists respond

to week of protests, riots
that rocked Baltimore.
Wealthy gay hoteliers

apologize after hosting
reception for Ted Cruz.
Actress Maria Bello

on her new book and
pain of typecasting.
PAGE 4
PAGE 12
PAGE 37
0 2 MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5
W A SH I N G T O N BLA D E . CO M
DC Families for DC Kids
CFSA is recognized nationally for its leading support of LGBT foster parents in the District. Placing children and teens in
safe and nurturing environments within their home communities is our highest priority,
we find great foster parents come from all walks of life.
CFSA provides support services for all of our foster parents. From medical care, clothing, and school supplies to short term
care for the children you foster if you need to take a break, the agency will help you care for our citys youth. CFSA also
provides you the opportunity to join a network of fellow current and past foster parents through our Family Connections
Cluster program. The program meets frequently to share stories, resources, and support for one another.
W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 0 3
Shine the light. Design the light.

on any of the following purchases:

4 Duette Honeycomb Shades
or 4 Solera Soft Shades
(plus $25 rebate each additional unit)
2 Pirouette Window Shadings
or 2 Silhouette Window Shadings
or 2 Vignette Modern Roman Shades
1 Duette Vertiglide Honeycomb Shade
or 1 Luminette Privacy Sheer
or 1 Skyline Gliding Window Panels
PIROUETTE WINDOW SHADINGS
Hunter Douglas window fashions allow you to do so much with light. Illuminate,
soften or darken your spaces. Create a shimmering glow, dramatic rays, a soothing
retreat. Design with light and see the difference it makes. Ask for details.
*
100
REBATE
Hunter Douglas window fashions allow you to do so much with light. Illuminate,
on any of the
following purchases:
Window
Shadings
Privacy
soften1 Luminette
or darken
yourSheer
spaces. Create 2aSilhouette
shimmering
glow,
dramatic rays, a soothing
Hunter
Douglas
window
fashionsunit)
allow (plus
you $50
to do
so much
with light.
rebate
each additional
unit)Illuminate,
(plus
$100 rebate
eachShadings
additional
Silhouette
Window
retreat.
Design
with
light
and
see
the
difference
it
makes.
Ask
foradetails.
soften or darken your spaces. Create a shimmering glow, dramatic rays,
soothing
4 Duette Honeycomb Shades
1 Skyline Gliding Window Panels
*
100
REBATE
*
$
Its time to decorate
(plus $25 rebate

additional
unit)
(plus
$100 rebate
each additional
unit) difference
retreat.
Design
with light
and see the
it makes.
for details.
on any
of each
theAsk
May 5 June 30, 2015
100 REBATE
on following
any of the purchases:
following
purchases:
2 Silhouette
Window Shadings
Art
of additional
(plus
$100 rebate
each
unit)
1 Skyline
Gliding
Window
Panels
Window Dressing
(plus4$50
rebate
each additional
unit)
Duette
Honeycomb
Shades
1 Luminette Privacy Sheer
your windows
theLLCholidays.
Windowfor
Wears,
(plus $50
rebateShadings
each additional unit)
$100rebate
Window
1(plus
Luminette
Privacy each
Sheeradditional unit)2 Silhouette
What
your
window
wear?
Save
with
mail-in
rebates
on
selection
stylish
Hunter
Douglas
(plus
$25of
rebate
each
additional
unit)
$100
rebate
each
additional
unit)4adoes
product
design
book
Duette
Honeycomb
Shades
1(plus
Skyline
Gliding
Window
Panels
DuPont
Circle,
Washington
DC
$25 rebate each
additional
unit)
(plus $100
rebatefashions,
each additional
unit) (plus
window
September
16December
16,
2014.
Ask
for
details.
M-F: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
2(plus
Pirouette
Window
Shadings
$50 rebate
witheach
this
ad additional unit)
Sat: 11:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Window
Wears,
LLC
Window
Wears,
LLC
202-277-6955
Art
Window
Wears,
LLC
Theof
Art of
Art ofDressing
Window
Dressing
Window
DuPont
Circle
What
does
window
www.mywindowwears.com
Windowidea
What
does
youryour
window
wear?wear?
booklet
productDressing
design
book
product design book
North
West
Washington
DC
DuPont
Circle,
Washington
DuPont
Circle,
Washington
DC DC
M-F:
10:00
AM
6:00
PM
M-F:
10:00
- 6:00
with this ad
M-F:
10:00
AM AM
- 6:00
PM PM
with
with
thisthis
ad ad
Saturday
10:00
AM
- 2:00
11:00
- 2:00
PMPM
Sat:Sat:
11:00
PM PM
- 2:00
PM
Closed
Sunday
Sunday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
202-744-0852
202-277-6955
202-277-6955
202-277-6955
TM
May 5 June 30, 2015
May 5 June 30, 2015
TM TM
TM
Follow Us At Facebook or Twitter

* Manufacturers mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made 5/5/15 6/30/15 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. A qualifying purchase is dened as a purchase of any of the product models set forth above in the quantities set
forth above. If you purchase less than the specied quantity, you will not be entitled to a rebate. Offer excludes Nantucket Window Shadings, a collection of Silhouette Window Shadings. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card
and mailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 7 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitations may apply.
Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. 2015 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas. SPG15MB6
50219
Follow
Facebook
& Yelp
Follow
Us Us
At On
Facebook
or Twitter
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
0 4 MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5
LO CA L N E W S
Baltimore at a crossroads after riots

LGBT activists
respond to violence
By STEVE CHARING
The riots and looting that rocked
Baltimore this week impacted the entire
city and LGBT leaders were quick to weigh
in on the issues of poverty and police
violence that triggered protests that
began last week.
The death of Freddie Gray, a 25-yearold black man who died on April 19 from a
severe injury to his spinal cord sustained
while in police custody, raised questions
about police procedures that resulted
in protests in the city. By Monday, the
protests turned violent, with widespread
rioting and arson; at least 20 ocers were
injured, 144 cars were burned along with
19 buildings.
That day, Baltimore high school
students learned of a purge referring
to a lm in which crime is legal on
social media and groups descended upon
Mondawmin Mall in Northwest Baltimore.
They proceeded to nearby streets
where they lit vehicles on re, looted
local businesses and burned down a
CVS store among other structures. Gov.
Larry Hogan issued a State of Emergency
for Baltimore, and Mayor Stephanie
Rawlings-Blake called for a week-long
curfew eective Tuesday night.
Scenes of the res, looting and
destruction that began on the day Freddie
Gray was laid to rest were shown all over
the world. Many businesses including
those that are LGBT-owned have been
aected by the disturbances and the
curfew and curtailed their hours.
Baltimores LGBT community is diverse
and not shy about expressing its opinions.
Clearly, there is anger and frustration.
Some prefer peaceful solutions; others
are more militant.
Joel Tinsley-Hall, the rst AfricanAmerican executive director of the Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender
Community Center of Baltimore and
Central Maryland (GLCCB), explained that
the death of Freddie Gray goes beyond
police brutality.
As far as the events since Mr. Grays
death, I fully support the peaceful
protests. Through peaceful means we can
begin good conversations that will bring
forth real solutions to address a broken
system. A system that for too long has
held in place lines of separation between
various groups based on race, ethnicity,
age, sexual identity and orientation and
the list goes on.
I, of course, condemn those who
brought violence to the streets of our
city. That is not the path to healing our
city and certainly does not do justice to
the memory of Freddie Gray. The thugs

as Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called
them are bringing even greater harm.
The result of their actions is a further
marginalization of the very people and
neighborhoods we need to be building
up.
Carlton Smith, executive director of
the Center for Black Equity Baltimore and
community leader at Moving Maryland
Forward Network, noted that peaceful
demonstrations are a signicant part of
black history.
Im very devastated by the activities of
this week and the media also reporting
on riots, Smith wrote in an email to
the Blade. Especially, when there were
peaceful protesters and marchers who
participate in their civil rights movement.
Baltimore is not Ferguson! All LIVES
matter especially black LGBTQ lives.
Constantly, our lives go unnoticed
because of who we love. Mia Henderson
and so many other black trans individuals
lives were taken by ruthless criminals
and yet the black community didnt even
budge on her murder.
The LGBTQ community still protests
peacefully without tearing down the city.
We are still waiting to hear about her
murder. We must have communications
with our civic leaders and community
stakeholders to set the change we believe
that needs to happen without riots. We
are civil servants here to serve all of
humanity.
Community activist Rev. Merrick Moises
said this weeks developments were
inevitable. Many of us, living and working,
in these communities are saddened but
not shocked by what happened, Moises
said. Years of neglect, poor education,
mass incarceration, drugs and police
brutality have led to this moment.
We are at a crossroads. The question is
how do we meet this profound challenge,
to develop our city with equity and
compassion? How do we collectively meet
the needs of all of Baltimore, leaving no
one behind, moving forward collectively
and in rhythm with the innite potential
and purpose of humanity?
Jabari Lyles, co-chair and education
manager for GLSEN Baltimore, and
a resident of Reservoir Hill near the
epicenter of the riots, expressed anger at
the situation.
I am sad, and I am also fed up. The
problems that caused the civil unrest
in Baltimore on Monday and last week
are problems that have been facing our
nation for centuries. I stand with anyone
who is ready to address our deeply
entrenched tradition of structural and
systemic violence against black people in
America.
It is time for us as social justice
advocates and activists, the ones who
A scene from last weeks peaceful protests that followed the death of Freddie Gray.
PHOTO BY VEGGIES; COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA
accurately interpret systemic oppression,

to merge our movements, and realize that
we are ALL up against the same, wielding
power and privilege that continues to
limit the idea that we, minorities and
allies alike, are secondary citizens ghting
for benign causes.
Cecil County resident Samantha
Master, a youth and campus engagement
manager at HRC, has family in Baltimore.
She directed her anger toward the local
government as well as at black people
who defend the police.
I am lividnot equally livid to the
amount of disgust and anger I feel at
the state, but livid nonethelessat
black people who themselves have
been harassed, accosted and assaulted
by police, have bore witness to the
deplorable and inhumane conditions
that black people in Baltimore City have
been forced to live under, and whose
self, sons and/or daughters frequent the
space where Freddie Gray was killed trip
all over themselves to defend the police
and to deride and mock peoples anger
and frustration.
You are being criminalized. Your
babies are being killed and criminalized.
Your schools are tools of criminalization,
and yet you lambast your children for
putting their bodies on the line and
screaming enough!
Master added in an email, If you can
honor Stonewall via prideswhich is the
commemoration of a riotthen surely
you can elevate your analysis to think
through why black people might be livid
to be CONSISTENTLY unjustly murdered

in the street with no explanation and no
accountability. Surely we can walk and
chew bubble gum at the same time.
Carrie Evans, executive director of
Equality Maryland who has lived in
Baltimore with her wife for 10 years, also
said existing problems in the city sparked
the reactions.
What is happening in Baltimore, both
the peaceful protests and the lawless
behavior of some people, is a response
to deep-seated systemic problems that
many dont want to hear about, let alone
deal with.
A history of distrust and mistreatment
between the Baltimore Police Department
and the black community, a city with
history of deep divides between racial
groups that still exists and is manifested
in disturbing levels of residential
segregation and a public education
system that has been abandoned by
many of the citys non-black residents
and a city with alarming rates of poverty
and lack of opportunities for many of its
residents.
What we are seeing is our city and
the people who call it home, screaming
out in pain to all of these realities. These
realties will not change in a week, but all
of us who live here will continue the ght
to dismantle these realities. Our city and
its leaders and residents are tenacious
and while this is a very trying time for all
of us, we will not be deterred from our
commitment to our city and doing all that
we can to change its realities.
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 0 5
LASt WEEKEND to SAVE
the
Spring EvEnt
20% off thru 5/3
uPhoLStErY: IN StoCK AND SPECIAL orDEr
PLuS ALL:
TABLES & STORAGE / RUGS / LIGHTING / ACCESSORIES / WALL ART / BED LINENS
* LOVE PROGRAMS ARE NOT INCLUDED
washington, dc | tysons ii galleria | mgbwhome.com
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
0 6 MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5
GLAA celebrates 44th anniversary
D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine,

City Council Chair Phil Mendelson
(D-At-Large), and Council member
Elissa Silverman (I-At-Large) were
among the city ocials who turned
out on April 23 for the Gay and Lesbian
Activist Alliances 44th Anniversary
celebration and awards ceremony.
GLAA, a non-partisan political
Mayor Bowser declared April 23 as the
group founded in 1971, is the oldest
Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance Day
in D.C.
continuously active gay and lesbian
civil rights organization in the United
States.
Sheila Alexander-Reid and Terrance
Laney, the director and deputy director of the Mayors Oce of LGBTQ Aairs,
who also attended the event, presented GLAA with an ocial proclamation from
Mayor Muriel Bowser declaring April 23 as the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance
Day in the District of Columbia.
Mendelson, a longtime supporter of LGBT rights, presented a similar
resolution on behalf of the City Council.
GLAA President Richard Rosendall and current and former GLAA ocers
presented the groups 2015 Distinguished Service Awards to longtime City
Council staer Anne Phelps; black history specialist and HIV/AIDS prevention
and treatment advocate Chuck Hicks; and transgender advocate and Democratic
Party activist Alexandra Beninda.
GLAA members have credited Phelps with playing an important behind-thescenes role in helping to shepherd through the City Council at least six LGBTrelated bills while serving on the sta of former Council member Tommy Wells
(D-Ward 6). She currently serves on the sta of Council member Charles Allen
(D-Ward 6), who succeeded Wells.
Hicks has been credited with playing an important role in helping to organize
D.C. events surrounding the opening ceremonies of the Martin Luther King
Jr. Memorial and the 50th Anniversary celebration of the 1963 March on
Washington.
LOU CHIBBARO JR.
Willard Hotel bias case set for public hearing
The D.C. Oce of Human Rights has determined that a case in which it made
a preliminary nding that the Willard Intercontinental Hotel illegally forced a gay
assistant chef out of his job could not be settled between the two parties and will
be certied for a trial-like public hearing.
In an April 20 letter, OHR Director Monica Palacio told the attorney representing
assistant chef Alberto Vega that eorts to reach a settlement in the case through
a conciliation process had failed.
The matter is therefore being certied to the Commission on Human Rights
for a public hearing, Palacio said in her letter. The Commission will inform all
parties of the date and time of the hearing.
Vega charges in a discrimination complaint led with the OHR last year that
Willard ocials allegedly forced him out of his job after he complained that he
was repeatedly subjected to anti-gay harassment and taunts by co-workers and
supervisors.
A 15-page Letter of Determination of Probable Cause issued by the OHR on
Dec. 17 says Vega, 43, establishes a prima facie case that he was subjected
to a hostile work environment because of his sexual orientation and was
constructively discharged from his job in August 2013.
The Willard has declined to comment on Vegas complaint, saying it never
discusses ongoing litigation. But it released a statement to the Washington
Blade in January saying it condemns unlawful discrimination in all forms and
has a policy of holding the safety, comfort and well-being of our customers and
employees as our top priority.
Under the D.C. Human Rights Act, the Commission on Human Rights is
authorized to make a nal decision on whether discrimination occurred and
what, if any, penalty should be handed down to the party found to have engaged
in discrimination.
The Commission reaches its decision on such cases after it conducts an
evidentiary hearing open to the public that includes testimony by witnesses.
LOU CHIBBARO JR.
LO CA L N E W S
Todd wins Ward 4 seat;

May leads in Ward 8
Marion Barrys son nishes
distant fth place
By LOU CHIBBARO JR.

lchibbaro@washblade.com
One of two candidates supported by
most of the citys prominent LGBT activists
won his race for the Ward 4 City Council
seat Tuesday night while the other held a
narrow lead over her closest rival in the
race for the Ward 8 Council seat.
Brandon Todd, a former City Council
staer, beat his closest rival by a margin
of 42.4 percent to 21.6 percent in an
11-candidate race to capture the Ward 4
seat held by his political mentor, Mayor
Muriel Bowser, before Bowser won
election as mayor last year.
In the Ward 8 race, attorney and
community activist LaRuby May was leading
her closest rival, former school board
member Trayon White, by 152 votes in a
race that also consisted of 11 contenders.
They were competing to succeed Council
member and former mayor Marion Barry,
who died in November.
White was among ve candidates in the
Ward 8 race that received a 0 rating from
the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance on
LGBT issues. GLAA rates candidates on a
scale of -10, the worst possible score, to
+10, the highest possible score.
GLAA said it gave White and the other
four candidates a zero rating because they
failed to return a candidate questionnaire
on LGBT related issues and the group had
no information about their positions on
those issues.
White was also one of six candidates
running for the Ward 8 seat that did not
show up for a candidates forum on LGBT
issues organized by the Gertrude Stein
Democratic Club, the citys largest LGBT
local political organization.
During his successful campaign in
2011 for a seat on the D.C. State Board
of Education White expressed general
support for LGBT-related school issues.
The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics
said the race between May and White was
too close to call on Tuesday night because
there were at least 245 absentee and
special or provisional ballots that had not
been counted.
Todd and May, who have expressed
strong support for LGBT rights, were
each endorsed by the Stein Club. They
also had the backing of many of the citys
LGBT rights leaders, including most of the
LGBT activists who supported Bowsers
campaign for mayor last year.
In a development that surprised some
political observers, Marion Christopher

Barry, the son of the former mayor and
Council member, nished in fth place in
the Ward 8 Council race Tuesday night, with
just 460 votes or 7.2 percent of the total.
Todd and May, who played prominent
roles in Bowsers 2014 mayoral campaign,
received strong backing from Bowser in
their respective Council races this year.
Bowsers citywide network of campaign
supporters, including LGBT supporters,
has been credited with helping Todd
and May raise far more money for their
campaigns than all of their rivals.
Several of the rival candidates accused
Todd and May of having an unfair advantage
through Bowsers support, with some critics
saying the two would be beholden to the
mayor if elected to the Council.
Todd and May disputed those
assertions. Supporters of the two,
including their LGBT supporters, argued
that Todd and May nished ahead of
their rivals because they ran highly
professional campaigns that included
face-to-face visits with residents in all
parts of their respective wards.
Veteran LGBT rights advocate and
businessman Everett Hamilton, who
served as a campaign adviser to Bowser as
well as for Todd and May, noted that Todd
served for seven years as then-Council
member Bowers constituent services
director. Hamilton said that in performing
constituent services work Todd became
well known and well liked in Ward 4.
He was out there every single day
knocking on doors and talking to
residents of Ward 4, said Hamilton in
discussing Todds campaign for the Ward
4 council seat this year. This victory was
not handed to him. He worked for it very
hard every single day, said Hamilton.
Hamilton and Darrin Glymph, an
attorney and longtime LGBT rights
advocate and Ward 4 resident, each said
they are condent that Todd will be a
strong ally for the LGBT community.
If you ask any LGBT person in the
ward, they know Brandon Todd, Glymph
told the Blade at Todds election night
victory party. He was responsive. He was
the one who was responding to emails, to
the listserv, to phone calls, Glymph said
in referring to Todds work as Bowsers
Ward 4 constituent director.
While stopping by Todds election night
gathering to congratulate Todd, Bowser
told the Blade she, too, credits Todd and
May for nishing ahead of their rivals in
Tuesdays election because of their own
skills and accomplishments.
CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 0 7
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
0 8 MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5
LO CA L N E W S
Police said Manns two female housemates found her unconscious and bound in her
bedroom after arriving at the home about 3 p.m. on April 17. The Oce of the chief
Medical Examiner ruled that Mann died of asphyxia by strangulation. Vander Briel was
apprehended about two hours later following a manhunt that involved dogs and about
20 police ocers, a police spokesperson said.
LOU CHIBBARO JR.
A same-sex marriage opponent stands outside the Foundry United Methodist Church on April
26.
WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS
Blade editor KEVIN NAFF, reporter CHRIS JOHNSON, actress LAVERNE COX and Blade
sales and marketing director STEPHEN RUTGERS at Saturdays dinner.
Blade staffers escort Laverne Cox

to White House dinner
Actress and Emmy Award-winning producer Laverne Cox attended Saturdays White
House Correspondents Association dinner as the guest of the Washington Blade.
Cox attended for the rst time and the event was held one night after Bruce
Jenners coming out interview on ABC. Cox was in demand, with reporters
swamping her with questions about Jenner. Cox told the Blade that she spoke to
Jenner by phone after his interview aired and praised Dianne Sawyers handling
of the questioning. I think ABC handled it beautifully, Cox said.
Obama made two gay jokes during the dinner. Referencing Rick Santorums
comment that he would not attend a same-sex wedding, Obama said, Gays and
lesbians across the country responded, Thats not going to be a problem.
And speaking about his close relationship with Vice President Biden, Obama
quipped, I tease Joe sometimes, but he has been at my side for seven years, I
love that man. Hes not just a great vice president, he is a great friend. Weve
gotten so close in some places in Indiana, they wont serve us pizza anymore.
STAFF REPORTS
Housemate charged in murder of Va. lesbian

The New York-based Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network expressed
condolences to the family and friends of a lesbian activist and student who was
murdered on April 17 in her o-campus home near the University of Mary Washington
in Fredericksburg, Va.
Grace Rebecca Mann, 20, was found strangled shortly after she participated in an
annual international event on campus created over a decade ago by GLSEN called Day
of Silence. The event is aimed at drawing attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying
and harassment at schools and colleges.
Fredericksburg police have charged one of Manns three housemates, Steven Vander
Briel, 30, with rst-degree murder and abduction in connection with her death. Neither
police nor the Oce of the Rappahannock County Commonwealths Attorney has
disclosed whether they have determined a motive for the murder.
The death of Grace Mann is an unspeakable tragedy and our thoughts go out to her
family and friends, said GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard in a statement to the
Washington Blade.
Anti-gay activists target D.C. church

A handful of same-sex marriage opponents on Sunday protested a church in
Northwest D.C.
Members of a group that calls itself Ocial Street Preacher stood outside the Foundry
United Methodist Church on the corner of 16th and P Streets, N.W., in Dupont Circle as
parishioners arrived for an 11 a.m. service. They held signs that read, among other
things, Romans 1:24-32 states your sin of sodomy is worthy of death and homo sex
is sin.
Ruben Israel told the Washington Blade that he and his fellow protesters were
standing outside Foundry to bring real, true church to these people right here.
He said they are most likely in D.C. because of the oral arguments in the four samesex marriage cases the U.S. Supreme Court heard on Tuesday.
Its a shock, its an abomination to have a church that presents same-sex marriage,
said Israel. They cant produce one example of two men married in the Bible.
Israel said a man spit in his face, while another wanted to get physical with him.
Several ocers with the Metropolitan Police Department were standing adjacent to
the protesters as parishioners entered the church.
MICHAEL K. LAVERS
W.Va. gay couple attends prom

Two gay high school seniors in a small town in West Virginia took a brave step last
weekend and attended prom together.
Michael Martin is a senior at Musselman High School in Inwood, W.Va. His boyfriend
of four months, Logan Westrope is a senior at Hedgesville High School, another school
also in the states Berkeley County. Both schools proms were held the same night
(April 25) but since theyd attended a winter formal dance together at Hedgesville a few
months ago, they decided to go to Musselmans prom. The school is about 75 miles
from Washington in West Virginias Eastern Panhandle.
They said the evening went beautifully.
I was really shy at rst, Martin said. I wouldnt dance like the rst three songs and
then I was just dancing goofy but by the fourth song or so, everybody else was holding
their girlfriends hands so I felt obligated to hold Logans hand too. Then after that, I
didnt really care what people thought. No one really looked at us. When we walked o
the dance area, a few friends said, Aww, you guys are so cute, look at you, and stu like
that, but we didnt get any negative comments.
Martin says Musselman sta deserve credit for not making a big deal of his same-sex
date.
I had to ll out an outside guest form and they didnt have a single problem with it at
all, he says. It actually surprised me. I thought they were going to say, No, you have to
take a girl, but they didnt.
JOEY DiGUGLIELMO
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 0 9
WE FOCUS ON HIV
TO HELP YOU FOCUS ON
TODAY
Ask your doctor if a medicine made by Gilead is right for you.
onepillchoices.com
2015 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC1839 03/15
UNBC1839_MA1_WashBlade_9.75x11.5.indd 1
3/26/15 3:10 PM
1 0 MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5
HIV, you didnt take

my hope, and you wont
take my life.
Vernial - Washington, DC
Living with HIV since 1987.
Throughout my 32 years of heroin addiction, HIV treatment wasnt a real priority. But after getting clean in rehab,
I found hope and have been on HIV treatment ever since. Now that Im living a healthy life, I have the strength and
passion to help others as an HIV testing counselor. Ive been where they are. So when newly diagnosed people see
what treatment has done for me, its the hope they need at a critical time. Now, as a musician and Sunday school
teacher, Im able to reach out to my community and share the benefits of my experience.
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 1 1
HIV
TREATMENT
WORKS
Get in care. Stay in care. Live well.

cdc.gov/HIVTreatmentWorks
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
12 MAY 01, 2015
NATIONAL NEWS
N.D. lawmaker outed on Grindr

FARGO, N.D. A North Dakota man said a state lawmaker who voted against
a gay rights measure sent an explicit photo and messages to him.
The Forum, a local newspaper, reported that Dustin Smith, a 21-year-old man
from Bismarck, claims state Rep. Randy Boehning (R-Fargo) sent him sexually
suggestive messages and an unsolicited photo of his penis over Grindr using
the name Top Man!
Smith during an interview with the Forum noted that Boehning recently voted
against a bill that would have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation
in North Dakota.
The Fargo Republican initially declined to comment on whether he sent the
picture and messages to Smith, but he later conrmed that he did.
Thats what gay guys do on gay sites, dont they? Boehning told the Forum.
Thats how things happen on Grindr. Its a gay chat site. Its not the rst thing
you do on that site. Thats what we do, exchange pics on the site.
Groups challenge Va. school proposal
The two gay hoteliers who hosted a reception for U.S. Sen. TED CRUZ (R-Texas) have issued
apologies.
WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY
FALLS CHURCH, Va. Anti-LGBT groups have strongly criticized a proposal that
would add gender identity to Fairfax County Public Schools non-discrimination
policy.
The Washington Post reported that Traditional Values Coalition President
Andrea Laerty on April 23 testied against the proposal that Ryan McElveen,
a member of the Fairfax County School Board, introduced. The newspaper said
state Dels. Bob Marshall (R-Prince William County) and David LaRock (R-Loudoun
County) also spoke against the measure during the same school board meeting.
We are very concerned that Fairfax County has selected children the
most vulnerable, least powerful people in our county as lab animals for
this experiment, said Laerty in a press release from the American Family
Association, a Mississippi-based group.
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring last month said that local school
boards have the authority under state law to include sexual orientation and
gender identity in their non-discrimination policies.
The Fairfax County School Board is expected to vote on McElveens proposal
later this month.
Anti-trans measure dies in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. The Florida House of Representatives on April 28
unexpectedly ended its 2015 legislative session without voting on an antitransgender bill that advocates sharply criticized.
Lawmakers adjourned without voting on House Bill 583, a measure that state
Rep. Frank Artiles (R-Miami-Dade) introduced in March that would have required
people using single-sex public facilities to prove their gender or face arrest. State
Sen. Charlie Dean (R-Inverness) introduced an identical measure in the Florida
Senate.
Gina Duncan of TransAction Florida described HB 583 as dehumanizing after
Artiles introduced it.
This bill invents a problem that simply doesnt exist, said Duncan.
Transgender people need to use the restroom the same as anyone. If anything,
we want and need to be protected from undue attention and harassment not
be told were committing a crime if someone thinks were in the wrong place.
Members of the Nevada Assembly last month killed a bill that would have
required students to use bathrooms corresponding with their biological sex.
The Staord County School Board in Virginia in March unanimously voted to
prevent a trans student from using the bathroom that corresponds with her
gender identity. The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Virginia late
last year led a Title IX complaint with the Justice Department on behalf of a
trans high school student in Gloucester County who challenged a policy that
requires students to use restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to their
biological genders.
Gay hoteliers apologize for

hosting Cruz reception
Reisner says he made
terrible mistake
By MICHAEL K. LAVERS
mlavers@washblade.com
The two gay hoteliers who hosted U.S.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) at their Manhattan
apartment have issued apologies.
Ian Reisner on Sunday wrote on his
Facebook page that he is shaken to my
bones by the emails, texts, postings and
phone calls of the past few days. He
added he made a terrible mistake in
accepting a request to co-host a dinner
with Cruz at my home without taking the
time to completely understand all of his
positions on gay rights.
Ive spent the past 24 hours reviewing
videos of Cruz statements on gay
marriage and I am shocked and angry,
wrote Reisner. I sincerely apologize for
hurting the gay community and so many
of our friends, family, allies, customers
and employees. I will try my best to make
up for my poor judgment. Again, I am
deeply sorry.
Mati Weiderpass wrote on his Facebook
page that he shares in Ians remorse.
I, too, lay humbled with what has
happened in the last week, he wrote. I
made a terrible mistake. Unfortunately, I
cannot undo this.
Reisner owns the Out NYC, a gayoriented hotel on Manhattans West Side.
He purchased the Pavilion nightclub,
the Blue Whale and other commercial

properties in Fire Island Pines, New York,
in January for $10.1 million.
The gay hoteliers issued their respective
apologies amid growing calls to boycott
the Out NYC and other businesses that
they own.
The New York City Gay Mens Chorus
cancelled a fundraiser that was to have
taken place at the Out NYC last week. A
May 10 fundraiser for Broadway Cares/
Equity Fights AIDS that was to have taken
place at a nightclub owned by Reisner
and Weiderpass has also been cancelled.
Cruz last month ocially announced
his 2016 White House bid during a speech
at Liberty University in Virginia.
The
anti-gay
Texas
Republican
introduced two bills seeking to protect
states without marriage rights for samesex couples. Cruz in March introduced a
resolution that urged Congress to kill a
D.C. bill that would protect LGBT students
from discrimination in religious schools.
Reisner in a previous Facebook post
wrote that he was given the opportunity
to have a candid conversation with Cruz
about Israel, national security and other
issues. The gay hotelier noted the Out
NYC earlier this year hosted an event
in support of former Secretary of State
Hillary Clintons presidential campaign
that drew 900 people.
Sean Verdi, 23, died last October from
what police described as a drug overdose
after he was found unconscious in a bathtub
in Reisner and Weiderpass apartment.
AM: S. Balicki
BM: D. Scampini
P: K. Green
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 1 3
Put your
leadership
to work.
Like Damion.
~ DAMION ANGLIN
Allstate Agency Owner since 2007
Ten years in the military taught Damion

leadership. The kind he uses today to run
his own successful Allstate agency and
to help protect his customers. Taking
the lead in looking out for others is why
people look up to Damion.
Learn how your leadership skills can help
you build a good life with Allstate.
TALK TO YOUR LOCAL ALLSTATE RECRUITER
IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C., AREA TODAY.
Tanya Blake,
Executive Recruiter
703-653-3515
tblak@allstate.com
H e a r m o r e o f D a m i o n s s t o r y a t
A l l s t a te A g e n t . c o m
Subject to all terms and conditions as outlined in the Allstate R3001 Exclusive Agency Agreement and Exclusive Agency program materials. Allstate
agents are not franchisees; rather they are exclusive agent independent contractors and are not employed by Allstate. Allstate is an Equal Opportunity Company. Allstate Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL. In New Jersey, Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company, Bridgewater, NJ. 2015 Allstate
Insurance Co.
Prime Time reALTOr
Valerie M. Blake
arlington n.
just steps to the metro!
102291_ZN01_AHRT0595000
just
listed! 6543 washington blvd.
LeoB
Ill find the home that Suits your

style, the one thats Unforgettable.
I promise that youll never feel
your purchase was regrettable.
Dupont Circle Office 202.243.7700 (o)
202.246.8602 (c) Valerie@DCHomeQuest.com
www.DCHomeQuest.com
$889,900
Associate Broker, GRI
March
27, 2015 3.5
12:11
Stunning
3 bedroom,
bathPM
luxury end-unit townhome in
TJ convenient Madison Mews community. Enjoy 2,952
the ultra
base sqft, 3 spectacular sun-drenched levels, a fabulous 2
story entry foyer, gleaming hardwood floors, 9ft. ceilings,
elegant woodwork & moldings, formal living and dining
rooms, a gourmet granite/stainless kitchen with breakfast
area and adjoining family room, a spacious master retreat
with private deck overlooking the fenced backyard and Open Sunday 1-4pM
garden, a lower level rec room and a 2 car garage.
dave lloYd & assoCiates
4701 Old Dominion Drive Arlington, VA 22207
703-593-3204 WWW.DAVELOYD.NET
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
14 MAY 01, 2015
NATIONAL NEWS
Historic week as Supreme Court hears marriage cases

Unclear how justices
might rule; decision
expected in June
By CHRIS JOHNSON
cjohnson@washblade.com
The historic oral arguments before the
U.S. Supreme Court on pending marriage
cases involved tough questioning for
attorneys on both sides of the litigation.
Forecasting the way the court will
rule on the cases challenging marriage
bans in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and
Tennessee based on the two-and-a-half
hour arguments is dicult because key
members of the bench Chief Justice
John Roberts and Associate Justice
Anthony Kennedy wouldnt give a clear
signal of their views.
Kennedy, who wrote severalgay rights
cases for the Supreme Court, including
the 2013 decision against the Defense
of Marriage Act, expressed a weariness
about a decision instituting the right to
gay nuptials across the country.
This denition has been with us for
millennia, and its very dicult for the court
to say we know better, Kennedy said.
But Kennedy also oered a contrasting
view when John Bursch, the Michigan
attorney defending a states right to
refuse marriage licenses to same-sex
couples, delivered his arguments.
Bursch referenced the number of
children being born out of wedlock,
saying since 1970, the out-of-wedlock
birth rate has gone from 10 percent to
40 percent. Kennedy shot back, insisting
that statistic instead of proving the
attorneys point cuts quite against a
ban on same-sex marriage.
Under your view, it would be very
dicult for same-sex couples to adopt
these children, Kennedy said.
In a discussion about the benets of
marriage, Kennedy also spoke about
same-sex couples wanting access to the
institution because it has a noble purpose
and is a dignity that can be fullled.
Despite his varying comments, Kennedy
has a reputation of being a champion
of gay rights during his decades on the
bench. Its hard to see how he would
depart from previous rulings to join a
decision upholding state bans on samesex marriage.
Roberts, whom some observers see as a
potential swing vote in the case, undercut
the image of his being sympathetic to
same-sex couples early on during his
questioning of Mary Bonauto, civil rights
director of the New England-based Gay
& Lesbian Advocates & Defenders. She
argued states shouldnt be allowed to
withhold marriage licenses from samesex couples.
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the marriage cases on Tuesday.
My question is youre not seeking

to join the institution, youre seeking to
change what the institution is, Roberts
said. The fundamental core of the
institution is the opposite-sex relationship
and you want to introduce into it a samesex relationship.
But Roberts also raised the possibility
that denying marriage licenses to samesex couples is unconstitutional, asking
why the case of a hypothetical couple
named Tom and Joe not being able to
marry isnt a straight-forward question
of sexual discrimination.
Other justices on the court were more
consistent with their approaches to samesex marriage during oral arguments,
keeping in tune with their reputations as
conservative or liberal justices.
U.S. Associate Justice Antonin Scalia
expressed concern about a court decision
in favor of same-sex marriage requiring
ministers to perform same-sex wedding
ceremonies, saying if instead of the
courts, the states were allowed to handle
the issue, they could make exemptions.
The Catholic justice brought up the
possibility of a same-sex marriage
performed at National Cathedral, which
condones such unions, negatively
impacting St. Matthews, the D.C. seat
of the Catholic Church, which remains
opposed to same-sex marriage.
Although Bonauto insisted these clergy
would continue to have a right to refuse
same-sex marriage no matter what the
court ruled, Scalia was unmoved.
If its a state law, you can make these
exemptions, when its a constitutional
requirement, I dont see how you can,
Scalia said.
In response, U.S. Associate Justice
Elena Kagan said under current law many
rabbis in the Jewish faith dont marry Jews
to non-Jews, but are still able to fulll
their constitutional requirements.
Associate Justice Samuel Alito asked
questions about how the court could
require states to marry same-sex couples,

but continue to deny polygamous
marriages or the relationship between
two siblings as a marriage.
Alito also noted that other societies,
including ancient Greece, condoned
homosexuality, yet still saw t to keep
marriage as a union between one man,
one woman.
People like Plato wrote in favor of that,
did he not? Alito asked.
On the other hand, Associate Justice
Stephen Breyer noted that states allow
marriage for many groups of people,
including couples who both have children
and dont want children, but these laws
seems to make an exception.
But there is one group of people
whom they wont open marriage to, so
they have no possibility to participate in
that fundamental liberty, Breyer said.
That is people of the same sex who
wish to marry. And so we ask, why? And
the answer we get is, well, people have
always done it. You know, you could have
answered that one the same way we talk
about racial segregation.
Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
made the case that same-sex marriage
is possible now because of the evolving
understanding of the institution.
There was a change in the institution
of marriage to make it egalitarian when
it wasnt egalitarian, Ginsburg said. And
same-sex unions wouldnt t into what
marriage was once.
Just after Bonauto completed her
oral arguments, a protester emerged
at the entrance of the courtroom
and began shouting anti-gay views,
includinghomosexuality is an abomination.
As the protester was being taken away,
Scalia remarked, rather refreshing. Its
wasnt clear whether Scalia was referring
to the substance of the protesters words
or his interruption of legal arguments.
Bonauto argued to justices that making
marriage o limits to gay people as a
class is an aront to the promise of equal

dignity under the Constitution.
Its not about the courts versus the
state, Bonauto said. Its about individuals
making the choice to marry.
Also speaking in favor of allowing
same-sex couples to marry was U.S.
Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, who said
if the court were to continue to allow
a patchwork of marriage laws across
the country, it would amount to racial
segregation laws before the Civil Rights
movement of the 1960s.
I dont know why wed want to repeat
that history, Verrilli said.
Verrilli concluded his arguments by
saying continuing to deny same-sex
couples access to marriage is simply
untenable and that they deserve
protections under our laws and they
deserve it now.
Bursch, in addition to making the case
the state should be allowed to ban samesex marriage because marriage and
procreation are intertwined, also urged
the court to defer to the legislative process.
Taking the issue away from the
people will have dramatic impact on the
democratic process, Bursch said.
Besides discussing whether states are
permitted to withhold marriage licenses
from same-sex couples, the court examined
whether states have a right to refuse to
recognizeout-of-state same-sex marriages.
Tennessee Associate Solicitor General
Joseph Whalen insisted that the 14th
Amendment doesnt require a state to
recognize out-of-state same-sex unions.
As soon as states were confronted
with the reality that some states were
going to redene marriage or expand the
denition of marriage to include same
-sex couples for the rst time, then its
unsurprising that they would determine,
in keeping with their own laws, that they
would not recognize those other states
marriages in Tennessee, Whalen said.
Asked by Kagan whether if the states
lose on the licensing question, they would
also lose on the recognition question,
Whalen replied, Yes.
Arguing on behalf of requiring states
to recognize out-of-state same-sex
marriages was Douglas HallwardDriemeier, an attorney with the global
law rm Ropes & Gray LLP.
A state should not be allowed to
eectively dissolve that marriage without
sucient justication to do so, HallwardDriemeier said.
In his conclusion, Hallward-Driemeier
invoked the stories of his clients, including
Jim Obergefell, the Ohio widower whos
seeking to ensure his name remains on
his late spouses death certicate.
States have no legitimate reason for
denying him that last fact regarding his
life, Hallward-Driemeier said.
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 1 5
Brian had his HIV under control with

medication. But smoking with HIV
caused him to have serious health
problems, including a stroke, a blood
clot in his lungs and surgery on an
artery in his neck. Smoking makes
living with HIV much worse.
You can quit.
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
#CDCTips
HIV alone
didnt cause the
clogged artery
in my neck.
Smoking with
HIV did.
Brian, age 45, California
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
16 MAY 01, 2015
NATIONAL NEWS
A great day for equality

Marriage supporters,
opponents rally outside
Supreme Court
The lead attorney representing samesex couples in four marriage cases that
went before the U.S. Supreme Court on
Tuesday is optimistic the justices will rule
in their favor.
Today was a great day for equality at
the U.S. Supreme Court, Mary Bonauto
told reporters after the justices heard
oral arguments in the cases.
Jim Obergefell, an Ohio widow who
sued the Buckeye State after it refused
to recognize his Maryland marriage to
his now-deceased husband, appeared
emotional as he spoke to reporters
outside the U.S. Supreme Court. The
plaintis from the Michigan, Kentucky
and Tennessee cases were standing by
his side along with Bonauto and their
other attorneys.
Im ghting for our marriage, said
Obergefell.
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), New York
Congressman Jerrold Nadler, California
Lieutenant Gov. Gavin Newsom, Virginia
Attorney General Mark Herring, Human
Rights Campaign President Chad Grin and
Freedom to Marry President Evan Wolfson
were among the lawmakers and LGBT
advocates who attended the oral arguments.
It went supremely well, Wolfson
told the Washington Blade as he left the
U.S. Supreme Court. The case for the
freedom to marry is clear.
Herring told the Blade the U.S. Supreme
Courts landmark Loving v. Virginia
decision that struck down state interracial
marriage bans in 1967 came up during
Tuesdays oral arguments. He reiterated
his previous statements that indicate
Virginia has argued on the wrong side of
Brown v. Board of Education and other
major civil rights cases.
This time as the attorney general for
Virginia I was in standing up for the rights
of all people to be treated fairly and
equally, said Herring.
Advocates heckle
marriage opponents
Victoria Cobb, president of the Family
Foundation of Virginia, was among the
opponents of marriage rights for samesex couples who took part in a rally
outside the U.S. Supreme Court as the
justices heard oral arguments.
Cobb during her speech said that more
than 1.3 million Virginia voters in 2006
voted in support of a state constitutional
amendment that dened marriage as

between a man and a woman. She noted
that Herring declined to defend it in court.
He stepped in and worked on the
opposite side, said Cobb. His decision
was in fact unprecedented.
LGBT rights supporters loudly heckled
Cobb, National Organization for Marriage
President Brian Brown and other samesex marriage opponents as they spoke in
front of the U.S. Supreme Court.
U.S. Rep. Bill Flores (R-Texas) referenced
the case of the owners of an Oregon
bakery who were ned $135,000 by the
state after they refused to make a wedding
cake for a lesbian couple. Supporters of
nuptials for gays and lesbians shouted
boo Texas and shame on Texas as
the Republican highlighted his states
continued opposition to the issue.
Marriage is a sacred institution critical to
our nations success and health, which must
be preserved and protected, said Flores.
The denition of marriage should not be
decided by judges from the high court.
Jennifer Marshall of the Heritage
Foundation made a similar point as she
stood outside the U.S. Supreme Court
holding a sign that read, every child
deserves a mom and a dad. She noted to
the Blade that 50 million Americans have
voted to arm in law the denition of
marriage as one man and one woman.
The court should not disregard those
votes, said Marshall.
A group of protesters that gathered in
front of Foundry United Methodist Church
in Dupont Circle on Sunday were among
the other same-sex marriage opponents
who were outside the U.S. Supreme Court
during the oral arguments. The Blade
also witnessed two groups of people who
were on their knees along both sides of
First Street, N.E., praying in Spanish that
the justices do not rule in support of
marriage rights for gays and lesbians.
Same-sex marriage supporters far
outweighed the number of opponents who
gathered outside the U.S. Supreme Court.
Members of the Gay Mens Chorus of
Washington sang the National Anthem
at the start of a rally that featured Dean
Gary Hall of the Washington National
Cathedral and other speakers. They also
placed themselves in front of a group of
counter-protesters who were standing
along First Street, N.E.
Gregory T. Angelo, executive director of
Log Cabin Republicans, held a Gadsden
ag while standing outside the U.S.
Supreme Court.
Democracy cannot survive if it ignores
the rights of its minorities, said Rabbi
Lucy Dinner of Temple Beth Or in Raleigh,
N.C., who was among the plaintis in a
lawsuit against North Carolinas marriage
amendment that state voters approved in
2012, as she spoke at the rally.
MARY BONAUTO was optimistic leaving the U.S. Supreme Court on April 28, 2015, after
delivering oral arguments in four same-sex marriage cases.
Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, one of

the plainti couples in the lawsuit that
challenged Californias Proposition 8,
were among the thousands of other LGBT
rights advocates who gathered outside
the U.S. Supreme Court. The two women
also received tickets to allow them to
attend a portion of the oral arguments.
Todays a historic day, Stier told the
Blade as she and Perry stood outside the
Supreme Court. We feel like were nally
getting to the end of this long struggle, and
were going to have marriage equality soon.
Elizabeth Patten of Ann Arbor, Mich.,
stood outside the Supreme Court with
a sign that contained the names of the
two children she has with Jonnie Terry,
her partner of more than 28 years. It also
contained the slogan marriage equality
is a family value.
Patten and Terry are among the
roughly 300 same-sex couples that were
legally married in Michigan on March 22,
2014, after a federal judge struck down
the states marriage amendment. The
6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later
that day issued a stay that prevented
any additional same-sex weddings from
taking place.
Theres always going to be the haters
out here, but this is wonderful, Patten
told the Blade, referring to a group of

same-sex marriage opponents who were
standing nearby. Im glad to see theres
such a good showing here.
Both Hall and Angela Peoples, codirector of GetEQUAL, were among the
speakers at the marriage rally who noted
the ongoing unrest in Baltimore that
continues to take place against the outcry
of the death of Freddie Gray.
The quest for marriage equality is
not unconnected to the quest for racial
equality in this country, said Hall.
Hannah Willard of Equality Florida
noted to the Blade as she stood outside
the U.S. Supreme Court that her states
anti-discrimination law does not include
sexual orientation and gender identity.
Same-sex couples can get married
on Saturday and if they post about it on
Facebook their bosses can nd out and
they can be red on Monday, she said.
So we need to make sure LGBT people are
fully safe and protected in the entire state.
Peoples also looked beyond the samesex marriage movement as she spoke
outside the U.S. Supreme Court.
We know that the ght for all of
our collective humanity and all of our
collective equality is not won, she said.
We will continue to ght.
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 1 7
GAINING WEIGHT?
LOW SEX DRIVE?
NOT YOUR
NORMAL SELF?
NAVA CAN HELP.
NAVA HEALTH & VITALIT Y CENTER
G R A N D
O P E N I N G
Recharge your health with the Nava Method.

The Nava MethodTM is a revolution in overall wellness, specializing in healthy
aging, weight loss, chronic pain and sports performance and recovery.
Our fully integrated, team-based approach includes physicians, nutrition experts,
massage therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, life coaching, premium grade
nutraceuticals and supplements, and moreall under one roof.
We use the latest clinical research and the most advanced medical practices to
help you transform your body, optimize your wellness and invigorate your life in
a calming environment.
CALL TODAY!
Integrated, Whole-Body
Treatments for:
Weight Gain
Digestive Issues
Decline in Sex Drive
Insomnia
Fatigue
Anxiety
Chronic Pain
Performance & Recovery
Menopause
855-680-6282 to make an appointment

NavaCenter.com to learn more
1800 M S TREE T NW
WA S H I N G TO N , D C
SERVICES
5 WISCONSIN CIRCLE
CHEV Y CHASE, MD
Bio-identical Hormone Optimization Medically Supervised Weight Loss Massage IV Nutrition Therapies
Acupuncture Nutrition Consultation Chiropractic Life Coaching Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy B12 Injections
150261_ASCD_9.75x11.5_TB.indd 1
3/31/15 10:48 AM
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
18 MAY 01, 2015
NATIONAL NEWS
Advocates on both sides of the marriage equality issue rallied Tuesday outside the U.S. Supreme Court as justices heard oral arguments in
four related cases. A decision is expected by June. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 1 9
133 Tull Place

Alexandria, VA 22311
3 master suites, 3.5 baths
$850,000
OPEN SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2-4PM
PERFECTION! Outstanding and rare Stoneyhurst model
with loft. Three luxurious master suites: custom walkin closets, en suite baths and ceiling fans. Move-in
condition with fresh neutral decor, gleaming hardwood
floors, three gas fireplaces, large gourmet kitchen with
cherry cabinets and designer granite. Bright and light
with floor- to- ceiling windows, French doors, cathedral
ceilings. Deck and private patio. Desirable location!
Rochelle Gray
703.328.1686
www.rochellegray.com
109 S. Pitt Street I Alexandria, Virginia 22314 I 703.549.9292
Speak with our preplanning adviSor,

Jamie arthurS at (202) 966-6400 or email
Jamie.arthurS@dignitymemorial.com
5130 Wisconsin Ave. NW DC (202) 966-6400 www.JosephGawlers.com
PROOF #2
GO Vegan AT SUBWAY WITH BOLD NEW FLAVORS!
ISSUE DATE: 05.01.15
REVISIONS
REDESIGN
TEXT REVISIONS
IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS
NO REVISIONS
A D V E RT I S I N G
P R O O F
SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS (bpitts@washblade.com)
REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof.
Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date
of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia
llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible
for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through
the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or any rgihts of third
Black
Bean
VEGAN
black
beans,
brownasrice,
corn, bell
parties,
including,
butpatty
not limited
to, such
violations
infringement
or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent,
trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair competition,
peppers,
cilantro,
andorarights
VEGAN
sweet violation
potato curry
sauce.
defamation,
invasiongarlic
of privacy
of celebrity,
of anti-discrimination
law or regulation, or any other right
of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) and
to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all liability, loss, damages,
claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred by brown naff pitts
omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertisers breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties.
VEGAN patty with a blend of brown rice, rolled oats,

vegetables and a VEGAN fire roasted tomato sauce.
LIMITED TIME ONLY.
Vegan sandwiches available in participating SUBWAY restaurants in the District of Columbia and select locations in Northern VA and suburban MD.
ADVERTISER SIGNATURE
By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the
washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement,
payment and insertion schedule.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
20 MAY 01, 2015
I N T E RN A T I O N A L N E W S
LGBT envoy backs nuanced approach to promoting rights

Randy Berry assumed rstof-its-kind post last month
The new special U.S. envoy to
promote global LGBT rights last week
said his position will allow the Obama
administration to further expand its
support of these eorts.
We have the luxury of dening sort of
how that roles going to operate, Randy
Berry told the Washington Blade during
an interview at his oce in the State
Department. Im lucky to be picking up
where a lot of people within the bureau, a
lot of folks in the White House, a lot of folks
in other branches of government who have
already been working in the space.
The Blade is the rst media outlet
with whom Berry spoke since formally
assuming his post within the State
Departments Bureau of Democracy,
Human Rights and Labor on April 13.
Berry was the consul general at the U.S.
Consulate in Amsterdam when the State
Department in February announced his
appointment. The career Foreign Service
ocer has previously been posted in
New Zealand, Nepal, Bangladesh, Egypt,
Uganda, South Africa and D.C.
Berry told the Blade that he will work
with the State Department and federal
agencies to make sure that our policies,
that our activities are coordinated in
a way that ensures they have the most
impact. He said the majority of work will
be outwardly focused.
Im going to be partnering not only
with like-minded governments, he said.
Berry told the Blade that the State
Department has made its views known to
the Egyptian government over its LGBT rights
crackdown that has garnered global headlines
in recent months. He also acknowledged
there have been a lot of issues with our
relationship with Saudi Arabia, a key U.S.
ally in the Middle East which is among the
countries in which homosexuality remains
punishable by death.
When we look at the space overseas
and think that in certain places that change
will not be possible, I think theres an
argument to be made that we really dont
know until we make those engagements,
until we push, said Berry. Im not naive
enough to think were going to see rapid
change in some of those places.
This job is a new tool, he added. The
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and
Labor has been working on these issues
for quite some time.
Berry told the Blade he feels U.S.
Ambassador to Uganda Scott DeLisi
masterfully handled the administrations
response to the signing of the countrys
Anti-Homosexuality Act in February 2014,
Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT People RANDY BERRY
which included a travel ban on those

responsible for human rights abuses
in the African nation and the cutting of
foreign aid. He also noted the Obama
administrations decision to drop Gambia
from a duty-free trade program amid
growing concerns over the countrys LGBT
crackdown and other human rights issues.
Our toolkit in each case is going to be
slightly dierent, said Berry.
Berry during the interview also
discussed the White Houses decision to
begin normalizing relations with Cuba
and the Communist countrys LGBT rights
movement that has grown more visible in
recent years.
Its a signicant example of the
phenomenon that I think exists across
places in Latin America where we have
a lot of countries in the region that have
been very, very progressive on the issues,
he told the Blade. Certainly on this
particular issue, I think were reasonably
close. And I think theres a conversation to
be had there just like in any other place.
Chile last November became the
11th country to join the Global Equality
Fund, an LGBT rights initiative the State
Department manages with the U.S.
Agency for International Development.
Berry told the Blade he would like to
expand the list of non-European countries
that contribute to the fund.
There is tremendous potential to make the
g in the Global Equality Fund look a little more
like g, he said. To expand the partnership, I
think Latin America has the most promising
sort of environment to do so.
Berry added he also hopes to work with
those countries he described as being

in the vast middle, which may have
unenforced laws that still criminalize
homosexuality.
Theres an argument to be made for
some good engagement in that space as
well, he said. Through some very smart
approaches you can get countries out of
that middle and on the side of right on this.
Berry stressed the need for what he
described as an extraordinarily nuanced
approach.
It could be very easy to adopt a purist
approach here and maybe inict harm in
ways that we dont intend, he told the
Blade. One of the concepts that weve
been talking about especially in these
tougher environments is to make sure
that our rst principle is do no harm, but
do no harm doesnt mean do nothing.
It means that you have to take great
stock of what the situation is, what the
local community I think wants as well,
added Berry. I want to be very, very
sensitive to that.
Out ambassadors
sign of progress
Berry, 50, joined the Foreign Service

shortly after then-President Bill Clinton
in 1995 signed an executive order
banning the federal government from
denying security clearances to gays and
lesbians simply because of their sexual
orientation.
His husband and two young children
were among those who attended the
State Department ceremony during
which Secretary of State John Kerry

formally introduced him. Selim Ariturk,
president of GLIFAA, an association
of LGBT employees of Foreign Service
agencies, was among those who attended
the ceremony.
Berry told the Blade his interest in
stepping into a job like special LGBT
envoy began when he became a parent
for the rst time at 47. He also described
the rate of suicide among young LGBT
people as devastating.
Environments where young people are
being delivered a message that they are evil
or sinful or sick is deeply distressing, said
Berry. If we can open up some space to
whatever extent thats going to be a success.
Another success to which Berry pointed
is the appointment of six openly gay
ambassadors who currently represent
the U.S. in the Dominican Republic,
Spain, Denmark, Vietnam, Australia
and the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe.
Berry who attended a panel last
month at the Newseum in D.C. that
featured the six men conceded the
ambassadors could be more diverse in
terms of race, sexual orientation and
gender. He nevertheless dismissed
criticism over the fact that they are all gay
white men.
Im always uncomfortable when
progress goes towards perfection, said
Berry. Any way you cut it thats a big
step forward, but its not the end of the
game either. As long as were on the right
trajectory I think were going to see very
positive things.
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 2 1
1300 EMERALD ST NE
WASHINGTON, DC 20002
Get Paid to Own this Home! * Solar Renewable

Energy Credits from Roof Panels Generated $3,088
in Income in 2014 * New Owner will Benefit for
Years to Come! * Semi-Detached Victorian on Quiet One-Way Street * Exposed Brick, Wood Floors,
Wood-Burning Fireplace, Updated Kitchen & Baths
* Fenced Rear Patio with Rose Bushes * Great Hill
Location Near From H St Trolley & Lincoln Park
2516 Q ST NW #208
WASHINGTON, DC 20007
5 Blocks to Dupont Metro! * Stately Sheridan

Garage in Georgetown Historic District * Luxe
Finishes & High Ceilings, Large Industrial Window,
Open Concept, Stainless Appliances, Honed Stone
Counters, Breakfast Bar * Featured in DC UrbanTurf: The units best feature is a large window that
lets in plenty of light, but it is also pet-friendly and
has an in-unit washer/dryer
2200 WESTMORELAND ST
#315, ARLINGTON, VA 22213
Spacious, Move-In Ready 1 Bedroom + Den that
Overlooks Courtyard * Modern Building with an
Open Layout, High Ceilings, Wood Floors, Granite
Countertops, Stainless Appliances, Large Walk-In
Closet * Assigned Garage Parking Space* Walk to
EFC Metro & downtown Falls Church City * Fast
Access to Lee Hwy & I-66 * Pet Friendly Building *
Amenities: Front Desk Concierge, Fitness Center &
Party Room!
Morgan Knull, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Gateway Serving DC, VA, MD

Direct: (202) 431-9867 Morgan@Knull.com
Keep your promise to protect each other.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
22 M A Y 01, 2015
BA LT I MO RE N E W S
Wills & Trusts

Powers of Attorney Living Wills
Partnership & Prenuptial Agreements
(240) 778-2330 (703) 536-0220

www.PartnerPlanning.com
Student leaders at Johns Hopkins say they dont want a Chick-l-A on campus.
JHU students vote No Chick-l-A
Serving the LGBT Community

in DC/MD/VA since 1983
By a vote of 18-8, a resolution by the Student Government Association at

Johns Hopkins University requested that administrators reject any current or
proposed plans for opening a Chick-l-A restaurant on or near the campus.
Stating that allowing a restaurant from the Atlanta-based franchise would be a
microagression against the campus community including visiting prospective
and current students, sta, faculty, and other visitors who are members of the
LGBTQ community or are allies, the SGA said university ocials should pick
other non-discriminatory options and rule out any current and future Chickl-A development plans if searching for new dining vendors on campus.
There have been no concrete indications that the university was negotiating
with Chick-l-A for a place on the campus, but some students were concerned
body mind Self
about construction that is in progress.
atbody
Allay
Yoga
mind
Self
At the heart of the vote against Chick-l-A is the opposition by CEO Dan Cathy
at Allay Yoga
to marriage equality and his funding of organizations dedicated to maintaining
try Svaroopa
Yoga for yourself!
marriage.
Enjoy your first Svaroopa

Yoga
classyourself!
fortraditional
FREE!
try Svaroopa
Yoga
for
Wed & Thurs 10am
The reason the resolution occurred at this time was essentially student
Enjoy your first Svaroopa Yoga class for FREE!
Please arrive 10 minutes
prior
to class to set up
your spacesaid John Hughes, community liaison for Diverse Sexuality And Gender
concern,
Wed a
& Thurs
Come experience
very10am
301-946-1517
Alliance.
When I spoke to the SGA at their meeting, they were largely already in
Please
arrive
10
minutes
prior
to
class
to
set
up
your space
different
yoga.
Come style
discoverof
a Very
Different style yoga.
301-946-1517 agreement that development of a Chick-l-A near campus should be avoided.
10419 Armory Ave.
Come
discover a Very
Michl
e Gordon
CSYT,Different
RYT-700 style yoga.
Kensington
Ave.
1-210419
blk offArmory
Howard
Ave.
Michl
Gordon
CSYT,Teacher
RYT-700 bliss3630@hotmail.com
Students
break the silence in Mount Vernon
Michle
is aeCertified
Kensington
10419
Armory
Ave., Kensington,
MD
Lawrence S. Jacobs/McMillan Metro, PC
Steve Weinberg
MiR
MiR
ATTORNEY AT LAW
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY

FOR 33 YEARS
202-861-0077
mireyoga.com
1934011
1934011
PERSONAL INJURY PROBATE

WILLS/ POAs CIVIL LITIGATION
CONSERVATORSHIPS GUARDIANSHIPS
Come
Come
301-946-1517
Michle is aLocated
Certifiedinside Allay Yoga
Teacher
1/2 block off Howard Ave.
2141 P STREET NW SUITE 103

WASHINGTON DC 20037
E-MAIL steveweinbergdc@aol.com
1-2 blk off Howard Ave.

bliss3630@hotmail.com
More than 35 area high school and college students as well as supporters
marched through Mount Vernon on April 17 to end the annual Day of Silence
with a loud scream. The event was coordinated by the Baltimore chapter of
LICENSED IN DC, MD AND VA
mireyoga.com
GLSEN the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.
The Day of Silence is a day in which people who support LGBT rights take a
ADVERTISIN
G of
PR
O O F to recognize and protest the silence that LGBT people face each
vow
silence
SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS (bpitts@washblade.com)
day and to spread awareness for LGBT issues, especially bullying.
According to Anne Stoner, an ally who represented PFLAG-Westminster/
REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of
proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of
Carroll
County at the event, the march began at the Washington Monument and
A
D
V
I
C
E
M
E
D
I
A
T
I
O
N
L
I
T
I
G
A
T
I
O
N
A
P
P
E
A
L
S
C
O
L
L
A
B
O
R
A
T
I
O
N
the
date
of
proof.
Revisions
will
not
be
accepted
after
12:01
pm
wednesday,
the
week
of
publication.Brown
naff
pitts
NS
omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is
proceeded up Charles Street.
responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users
GN
can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or
EVISIONS
any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any
We paused at intersections to make sure passersby saw our signs. We were
copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair
/LOGO REVISIONS
competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation,
greeted
by horns, waves, peace signs and the sign language word for love,
or
any
other
right
of
any
person
or
entity.
Advertiser
agrees
to
idemnify
brown
naff
pitts
omnimedia
llc
(dba
the
ADVERTISER
SIGNATURE
SIONS
washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all
Stoner
said.
liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred
washington blade newspaper. This includes but
is not limited
to placement,
by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertisers breach of any of the foregoing representations
and warranties.
Prior to the scream, Lili Fox Vlez, the president of the New Wave Singers of
Baltimore, sang a chorus of Everything Possible by Fred Small, and then the
marchs participants screamed to break their silence.
FAMILY | ESTATE PLANNING | EMPLOYMENT | IMMIGRATION
Jabari Lyles, the Co-Chair & Education Manager for GLSEN Baltimore, was
COMPLEX LITIGATION | CIVIL RIGHTS | LGBT | ADOPTION | BUSINESS
pleased with the turnout and diversity for this third GLSEN-led Day of Silence
event. There were all dierent ages, races, sexual orientations and occupations,
he told the Blade. There were students, teachers, social workers, parents,
friends, health professionals, legal professionals.
Serving Our COmmunity fOr 31 yearS
Silber, Perlman, Sigman &tilev, P.a.

AT TO R N E YS AT L AW D C | M D | VA
3 0 1 . 8 9 1 . 2 2 0 0 S P - L aw. C o m
7 0 0 0 C a r r o l l av e n u e S u i t e 2 0 0 ta k o m a Pa r k m d
STEVE CHARING
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 2 3
Unique vintage and

antique finds, great food,
good vibes, a killer time,
all in one cool spot!
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
24 M A Y 01, 2015
H E A LT H N E W S
Oregon considers conversion therapy ban
20% off
a ny one s erv ic e
on yo u r f i rst v i s i t
1629 WISCONSIN AVE NW 202.338.4100 #IlluSIONSOfgEOrgEtOWN
PORTLAND Elected ocials in Oregon are considering a conversion therapy ban, the
Statesman Journal, a Gannett paper, reports.
House Bill 2307 would apply only to licensed mental or social health care professionals,
and only to therapy given to those under 18.
Rep. Rob Nosse (D-Portland) sponsored the bill. He told the committee that he was
thankful that he didnt gure out he was gay until he was 23.
Im lucky as a kid I was never subjected to this kind of therapy, Nosse said at the
hearing according to the Statesman Journal.
Conversion therapy is opposed by a number of medical, social and educational
organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychiatric
Association, the American School Counselor Association and the National Association of
Social Workers.
Mental health clinicians are venturing outside the appropriate boundaries of their
scope of practice if they attempt to change a clients sexual orientation, Richard Yep, chief
executive ocer of the American Counseling Association, said in written testimony.
Earlier this month, President Obama came out in support of bans on conversion
therapy for children. California, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., already have banned
conversion therapy for minors, and more than a dozen states have similar legislation
pending.
However, similar bans recently failed in Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland and Virginia.
Opponents say the state shouldnt interfere in family and religious matters, the Journal
reports.
If we force kids to live homosexually if they dont want to, that puts them in harms
way, said Jayson Graves, head of the Colorado counseling organization Healing for the
Soul, who says conversion therapy worked on him. Were not celebrated in this culture.
We dont have television shows about us saying look how great it is to be ex-gay, Graves
told the committee.
The Oregon House passed the bill in March. The Senate Committee on Human Services
and Early Childhood has scheduled a work session on the bill for Thursday, the Journal
reports.
Court: Gay blood ban sometimes justied
NS
GN
EVISIONS
/LOGO REVISIONS
SIONS
McLEAN, Va. A top European court on Wednesday said that a lifetime ban by EU
member states on gay men donating blood may be justied, under certain conditions,
USA Today and other media outlets report.
Wednesdays judgment comes after an oer to give blood by Georey Leger, a
Frenchman, was rejected by a doctor in Metz in northeastern France in April 2009 because
Leger had had sexual relations with another man. French law permanently barred men
from donating blood on those grounds. Leger challenged the decision.
The European Court of Justice said that lifetime bans for men who have had sexual
relations with another man may be justied if a prospective blood donor is at a high risk
of acquiring severe infectious diseases and there are no eective techniques for detecting
those diseases, USA Today reports.
It returned the case to the court in Strasbourg, which originally handled Legers case, to
determine whether in France there is a high risk of acquiring severe infectious diseases
that can be transmitted by blood in the case of a man who has had sexual relations with
another man.
French Health Minister Marisol Touraine in March said it was unacceptable that sexual
orientation is seen as an exclusion criterion, as politicians prepared to vote in a new health
bill to allow gay men to give blood. She reiterated her stance after the ruling, the USA
ADVERTISING PROOF
Today article said.
SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BROOKE JORDAN (bjordan@washblade.com)
the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts
any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any
copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair
competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation,
or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the
washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all
and warranties.
Virginia clinic expands trans services

ROANOKE, Va. A Virginia health clinic is expanding its transgender services, WSLS 10,
an NBC aliate in the region, reports.
When local resident Dolly Davis started her transition 15 years ago, she opted for
washington blade newspaper. This includes but
is not limitedat
to placement,
services
the Carilion Clinic in Roanoke rather than going to more established service
centers in Richmond, WSLS reports.
One things Carilion has started is looking at understanding what the needs are but
not just the basic health needs but how the community operates, Davis was quoted as
having said.
Over the past year, a patient advisory group worked with Davis to gain insight into the
populations unique medical needs such as counseling and patient classication.
Carilion Clinic ocials said sta has been doing research, training, and technology xes
in the electronic medical records system to help address the transgender community
needs, WSLS reports.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
C O A CH G
M A Y 01, 2015 25
Countdown to swimsuit season

Been slacking? Follow these
tips for code red fitness mode
Grab a coffee,
coffee
take a survey,
change the world.
Making a Difference is Easy.

We are into the heart of spring
and can almost taste summer. Four
weeks from now Ill be getting ready
to hit the beaches of Hawaii and like
many of you who may be getting

Memorial Day ready, Im getting into
my ne-tune mode.
GERARD BURLEY is a D.C.-based personal
This is also known as code red I
trainer. Reach him via @CoachGFit or coachg@
have
to wear a bathing suit soon.
coachgtness.com.
Help!
If youve been slacking and falling behind on your workouts and nutrition dont
panic, but we have to get serious immediately. Believe it or not, four-six weeks
is enough time to see some dierences and to have that condence you want at
the beach. Here are some dietary keys to getting the body you want in six weeks.
Arrivederci Sugar I know Im always preaching to limit your sugar, but now
is crunch time. Sugar has been proven to force the body to hold onto those last
fat deposits especially around your mid section. I nd most people feel like they
arent eating lots of sugars in their diets, but your daily sugar intake can sneak
up on you quickly. The most deceptive places are juices, breads and alcohol.
Proudly LGBT-owned and -operated
Whenever Im really cutting down, I always count out the amount of grams of
A pioneer in LGBT research, founded in 1992
Your information is confidential, used for research purposes only.
sugar I take in and shoot to keep it under 20 grams per day.Its tough at rst,
NGLCC-Certified LGBT Owned Business Enterprise
You will not be contacted for marketing purposes.
but its worth it.
Jump o the juices Fruit juices are laced with high amounts of sugar, without
the healthy ber that helps to control how much sugar is actually absorbed into
your bloodstream. Even the 100 percent all natural, fresh squeezed and vitamixed juices are still sugar sanctuaries and can play a major role in blocking
you from achieving your goals. The best plan during cut-down crunch time is
to stick to water all the time. If you need some type of avor, try adding lemon,
Cosmetic, Implants, Sleep Apnea, Sedation
cucumber or slices of your favorite fruit to your water. Placing fruit slices into
Call Today Weekend Hours MulTilingual
your water will add avor without the sugar.Another great solution is using soda
or carbonated water to help give the water a refreshing taste without the empty
We believe we can make the
calories that come along with juices. As someone who wasnt a super fan of
water growing up or even now, using carbonated water and fruit avors has
dental experience better.
really helped me to include more water into my diet.
Sneaky bread Unfortunately bread doesnt always present itself to us in
its true loaf form. Sometimes it sneaks its way into our diets; think crackers,
cookies, pretzels and anything else that youre putting our into. Remember
food doesnt necessarily have to taste sweet to act like a sugar in your body.
Once these our-based foods are broken down in the body, it spikes your blood
Some things we all have in
sugar up and puts you in a fat-storing zone, which is not the zone we want at all.
common.
Try alternatives like lettuce wraps, kale wraps, cheese crisps or kale chips to
Patient of the Week Julie W. and rhea dental Hygienist
Theres
nobody like me to protect the
replace the bread-based food in your diet. If bread is your go to and its not
things we all value. Like a good neighbor,
going to change, try using less. Open-faced sandwiches or sandwiches made
ADVERTISING
State Farm is there. CALL ME TODAY.
with only one slice of bread and then folded over can serve as better options.
PROOF
#1weeks is
ISSUE DATE:
SALES REPRESENTATIVE:
My game plan for reducing the bread from your diet over the next
four
as follows: Start by removing your bread intake from one meal each week. This
week no bread at dinner, next week none for lunch and dinner, and
nally in
the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts
REVISIONS
weeks three and four cutting it out completely. Remember you can still
include
REDESIGN
TEXTbeans
REVISIONS
any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement
of any
healthier complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, quinoa, farro and
John Tsaknis
Jeanette Suhor misapporpriation
Indra Mustapha
copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety
DDSunfair
DMD right, false advertising,
DDS, MS
competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination
law or regulation, Gunther Heyder
to get a well-balanced diet. If youre going to include bread, make sureNO
itsREVISIONS
darker
Maria Hodas
or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the
ADVERTISER
SIGNATURE
DDSBy signing this proof you
DDS from any and all
washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless
are agreeing to your cont
and you make it yourself with our from ancient grains.
washington blade newspaper. This includes but is n
and warranties.
Abstinence for alcohol Alcohol is the main culprit to that spare tire many
of you have around your waist. Not only is the alcohol not allowing your body
to break down the stored fat it wants to burn, but its usually coupled with even
Jonna S Wooten, Agent
more bad calories. If youre going to drink, try to drink cocktails straight or with
Bus: 703-560-7804
club soda and lime. If youre serious about dropping the weight, your rst step
www.jonnawooten.com
needs to be dropping the bottle. Two rules I live by are one, I only drink on the
weekends and two, I only drink on days that I work out twice. If you are packing
on the calories, you better pack yourself in the gym.
Follow these nutrition goals for the next four weeks along with some serious
1221 Mass. ave, nW 202.628.7979 (Free Parking)
cardio and youll be Memorial Day ready in no time.
703 d street, nW 202.628.1288
1101022.1 State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL
lenfant Plaza,sW Promenade #325 202.628.2177
Take the 9th Annual

LGBT Community Survey
LGBTsurvey.com
Love, hope,
success,
family,
security.
DentalBug.com
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
2 6 MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5
IN S IDE L G B T W ASH I N G T O N
VOLUME
46
ISSUE
18
ADDRESS
Marriage now in hands of 9 justices

The ght for equality
continues no matter the ruling
PETER ROSENSTEIN is a D.C.-based LGBT rights

and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly
for the Blade.
With oral arguments over in Obergefell v.

Hodges, we can hope this will be the last time
the Supreme Court will have to look at this issue. The case was consolidated by the court
with three other same-sex marriage cases
challenging both a states refusal to recognize same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions and a states refusal to license same-sex
marriages, or both. The plaintis case was
argued by Mary Bonauto, the lawyer for the
seven gay and lesbian couples in Massachusetts who in 2003 won their case and made it
the rst state in the nation to allow same-sex
couples to wed. It is tting she is the attorney
of record in this case that could nally declare
same-sex marriage legal nationwide.
As oral arguments were made on Tuesday, many went in with high hopes the
court will decide both issues at once. The
complexity and uncertainty caused when
37 states and the District of Columbia
recognize same-sex marriage but those
marriages are not recognized in the other

14 states is untenable. The confusion is
unacceptable and continues to deprive
people of their full civil and human rights.
The court has seemed reluctant to
tackle same-sex marriage, as it generally
doesnt like to move ahead of public opinion and developments in states. But now
with more than 60 percent of the population supporting same-sex marriage according to recent polls, the court neednt
worry about that.
As oral arguments began, Chief Justice
John G. Roberts Jr. said he had looked up
denitions of marriage and had been unable to nd one written before a dozen
years ago that did not dene it as between
a man and a woman, and continued saying
to the plaintis if you succeed, that denition will not be operable. He went on to say
You are not seeking to join the institution.
You are seeking to change the institution.
Justice Anthony M. Kennedy also spoke as
the advocates for marriage equality made
their case. He said, The denition of marriage has been with us for millennia and
its very dicult for the court to say, Oh, we
know better. While that statement was disappointing he also said his sense was that
a principal purpose of marriage was to afford dignity to the couples, which is denied
to same-sex couples. At another point in
responding to an argument Kennedy said,
Noting that the societal or cultural denitions of marriage that had lasted millennia
were just that, and not necessarily the same
as the governmentally sanctioned institution
of marriage. So trying to guess on which

side of these issues he will vote is dicult.
Adam Liptak in the New York Times
reported, When the lawyer for the opponents of gay marriage began arguing, Justice Stephen G. Breyer forcefully
questioned why states should be able to
exclude gay people from marriage. Marriage is open to vast numbers of people,
he said, adding that same-sex couples
have no possibility to participate in that
fundamental liberty. And so we ask why.
In cases such as this where the conservative and liberal Justices come from such
dierent points of view it is always difcult to anticipate what they will do. The
consensus is that Alito, Thomas (the silent
justice), Scalia and Roberts will come down
on the side saying same-sex marriage is
not a constitutional right. Breyer, Sotomayor, Ginsburg and Kagan will vote to
say it is. That leaves Justice Kennedy who
has been pragmatic in these cases and
said in Windsor it was a case of dignity. In
this case where he may feel the same, the
question will be whether he agrees it is the
courts right to make the decision.
Those who have fought this battle for
years think the time has come for it to be
decided in our favor. However even if we
win the LGBT community must recognize
our ght for civil and human rights is not
over. You may marry but in nearly half the
states the next day you could lose your job
and be discriminated against in housing
and other areas. Whatever the decision,
the ght for our rights must go on.
E DIT OR IAL CA RT O O N
PO Box 53352
Washington DC 20009
PHONE
202-747-2077
E-MAIL
news@washblade.com
INTERNET
www.washingtonblade.com
PUBLISHED BY
Brown Na Pitts Omnimedia, Inc.
PUBLISHER
LYNNE J. BROWN
lbrown@washblade.com ext. 8075
EDITORIAL
EDITOR
KEVIN NAFF
kna@washblade.com ext. 8088
FEATURES EDITOR
JOEY DIGUGLIELMO
joeyd@washblade.com ext. 8081
SR. NEWS REPORTER
LOU CHIBBARO JR.
lchibbaro@washblade.com ext. 8079
NEWS REPORTER
CHRIS JOHNSON
cjohnson@washblade.com ext. 8083
NEWS REPORTER
MICHAEL K. LAVERS
EDITORIAL INTERN
MARIAH COOPER, JUSTIN PELIGRI
PHOTO EDITOR
MICHAEL KEY
mkey@washblade.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
PETER ROSENSTEIN, MARK LEE,
LATEEFAH WILLIAMS, KATE CLINTON,
KATHI WOLFE, RICHARD J. ROSENDALL
CREATIVE DESIGN/PRODUCTION
AZERCREATIVE.COM
SALES & ADMINISTRATION
DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING
STEPHEN RUTGERS
srutgers@washblade.com ext. 8077
SR. ACCT. EXECUTIVE
BRIAN PITTS
bpitts@washblade.com ext. 8089
SR. ACCT. EXECUTIVE
JERYL PARADE
jparade@washblade.com ext. 8072
DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
BROOKE JORDAN
bjordan@washblade.com ext. 8094
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATION
PHILLIP G. ROCKSTROH
prockstroh@washblade.com ext. 8092
NATIONAL ADVERTISING
RIVENDELL MEDIA
212-242-6863; sales@rivendellmedia.com
For distribution, contact Lynne Brown at 202-747-2077,
ext. 8075. Distributed by MediaPoint, LLC
All material in the Washington Blade is protected by federal copyright law
and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Washington Blade. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers
and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The
appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily
indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. Although the
Washington Blade is supported by many ne advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Unsolicited editorial
material is accepted by the Washington Blade, but the paper cannot take
responsibility for its return. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject
or edit any submission. A single copy of the Washington Blade is available
from authorized distribution points, to any individual within a 50-mile radius of Washington, D.C. Multiple copies are available from the Washington
Blade oce only. Call for rates. If you are unable to get to a convenient
free distribution point, you may receive a 52-week mailed subscription for
$195 per year or $5.00 per single issue. Checks or credit card orders can be
sent to Phil Rockstroh at prockstroh@washblade.com. Postmaster: Send
address changes to the Washington Blade, PO BOX 53352 Washington,
DC 20009. The Washington Blade is published weekly, on Friday, by
Brown Na Pitts Omnimedia, Inc. Individual Subscriptions are $195
per year for 52 issues (only $3.75 per issue mailed to you USPS). Rates
for businesses/institutions are $450 per year. Periodical postage paid
at Washington, D.C., and additional mailing oces. Editorial positions
of the Washington Blade are expressed in editorials and in editors
notes as determined by the papers editors. Other opinions are those
of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the
Washington Blade or its sta. To submit a letter or commentary: Letters should be fewer than 400 words; commentaries should be fewer
than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length,
and must include a name, address and phone number for verication.
Send submissions by e-mail to kna@washblade.com.
2015 BROWN NAFF PITTS OMNIMEDIA, INC.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
V I E W PO I NT
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 2 7
Standing ovation for Bechdels Fun Home

Acclaimed memoir brings
lesbian visibility to Broadway
KATHI WOLFE is a writer, poet and regular

contributor to the Blade. She can be reached
through this publication.
One of the most exciting moments of my

youth was seeing Carol Channing in Hello
Dolly on Broadway.
I adored Channing, the music, dancing and
costumes. Yet, at age 11, I sensed that the stories of girls like me, who felt a mysterious attraction to other girls, wouldnt be told on the
Great White Way. Seeing girls with no makeup and who hated wearing dresses, sing or
dance, let alone be the main story in a Broadway musical was as likely as watching pigs y.
Until now. Fun Home, the rst musical with
a lesbian lead character, opened on Broadway

on April 19. Incredible as it may seem, lesbians, once relegated to dingy dives and pulp
ction, are now as mainstream as Playbill or
Sardis caricatures.
Fun Home, which has received glowing
reviews and is likely to receive a Tony nod,
is based on Alison Bechdels 2006 brilliant,
best-selling graphic memoir Fun Home: A
Family Tragicomic. Bechdel, 54, a lesbian
writer and cartoonist, has been beloved for
years by legions of lesbian and indie fans
for her long-running comic strip Dykes to
Watch Out For. Anyone with a sense of
humor cant help but love the characters
in Dykes from Mo, who used to work at
the now-defunct Madwimmin Books and
whose Impending Doom Alert Level is
orange to Sydney, Mos partner, a tenured
college professor and credit card debtor
with a penchant for the theoretical and
disdain for knee-jerk liberalism. At a time
when lesbian lives were rarely authentically
reected in the culture at large, we could
see our community, with its joys, pain and
quirks in Dykes to Watch Out For.
Bechdel, who received a MacArthur
Foundation genius award last year, is

perhaps, best known for the Bechdel
test (for assessing movies). The idea for
the test, Bechdel has said, was developed
by a friend of hers, Liz Wallace. In 1985,
a Dykes character said that a movie
passes the test when it has two women
characters who talk to each other about
something other than a man.
Fun Home, as memoir and Broadway
show, aces the Bechdel test! Its often said
that comedy and tragedy are intertwined.
Bechdels work shows that this is an essential truth about life not an empty trope.
If asked to read a memoir or see a show
about a family who ran a funeral home
with a closeted queer father who kills himself, you might well take a pass. But not if
the family is Alison Bechdels clan.
Bechdels father Bruce, a closeted gay
man, ran a funeral parlor out of his familys home in Beech Creek, Pa. His kids
ironically call it the fun home. Bruce,
who Bechdel calls a manic-depressive,
closeted fag, also teaches high school
English and meticulously restores the
Victorian mansion where the family
lives. Bruce is killed in a car accident, but

Bechdel believes he killed himself because she, while at college at Oberlin, had
came out as a lesbian to her parents.
You wouldnt think that a Broadway
musical could be both moving and funny
about funerals, death or lesbian love and
attraction. But Fun Home would prove
you wrong. Audiences are laughing and
singing along with songs that rhyme satised with formaldehyde.
The musical, a Pulitzer Prize nalist
when it played o-Broadway at the Public Theater, was adapted from Bechdels
by Lisa Kron (book and lyrics) and Jeanine
Tesori (music).
All of us, whether we want to or
not, construct our lives and memories
through our families. In Fun Home,
three actresses play Bechdel at various
stages in her life as she seeks to unravel
her familys mysteries: as a 43-year-old
using her art to remember her past (Beth
Malone), a college student (Emily Skeggs)
and a child (Sydney Lucas).
In Fun Home, for the rst time, a lesbian family is out front and center stage.
V I E W PO I NT
Bruce Jenners transition is the most public ever

Kudos to ABC News for
responsible interview
By DANA BEYER
The thrill of victory the agony of defeat.
Little did we know that, when Keith Jackson
shouted that Jenner had kicked the world record sideways and he stood in triumph on the
gold medal podium in Montreal in 1976, that
moment was actually more an agony of defeat. A defeat due to living an inauthentic and
fraudulent life. Having thought about Friday
nights interview with ABC News Diane Sawyer
forever, this was the day that was lled with
the thrill of victory.
After months of teasing, tabloid intrusions,
a fatal car crash and a trans community holding its breath, Americas hero, who, in Sawyers
words, embodied the muscle and glory of
America, had come home, and said, simply, I
am a woman.
Most remarkably, Jenner, who still wants to
be called Bruce and he at this stage of the
transition, a transition that has progressed in
ts and starts for 30 years, was humble and
respectful to the trans community. Admitting
his ignorance and stating, I am not a spokesperson for the community, nevertheless he
was proud and hopeful that his courage, recognized by all of his children and his mother,
his sister and his exes, would bring about
change. Considering that fewer than 10 per-
cent of Americans knew a trans person before

Friday night, that change is very likely. The vast
reach of this program, on television and social
media, globally as well as nationally, makes
this the most public of all gender transitions.
His refusal to be personally dragged into tabloid style journalism comes as a relief to many
who feared the worst.
Jenners story is one I could have written for
myself, one familiar to me from my friends and
colleagues. Its a story of the trans movement
of the past half century, but most importantly,
can now be seen as just the beginning of the
story. The discussion about trans children,
highlighted by the very common, now classical
tale of most adult trans women having been
confused about their gender as children, laid a
marker for the next generation. Drs. Norman
Spack and Jo Olson spoke eloquently about
their work with children, and to ABC News
credit, they only promoted one opponent of
transition, Dr. Stephen Levine. His words were
relatively benign and lost in the overwhelming
positivity of the representatives from the trans
community, from Professor Jenny Boylan to
model Geena Rocero and political and corporate activist Diego Sanchez.
The role of the Kardashians was minimized,
as Jenner made clear he was a Jenner, not a
Kardashian. Yet the Kardashians, like Jenners
children, were also highly supportive of their
stepfather. Very signicantly, while the program
followed the traditional structure of a trans
coming-out story, with the visit to the childhood

home, replete with decades of family photo albums, Jenner made it very clear he would stay
away from the salacious. He stated that, lming
and shooting [surgery] would be degrading. So
we werent, and can hope not to be, subjected
to the usual shots pre and post-operatively, and
maybe even spared the makeup lessons and
getting dressed. After all, how exciting is watching all that? This is real progress in the evolution
of telling trans stories.
Notably Jenner emphasized that his brain
was always more female than male, that while
he never felt trapped in the wrong body
it was a situation that he knew was a fact of
his life, and that the lonely, introverted child
who rarely socialized has never really disappeared. As Dr. Spack said very simply about all
trans persons, If they were wonderful people
before, theyll be wonderful people after.
Transition just makes you authentic; it doesnt
change your personality or character.
Like most trans women of his generation, he
tried to prove his masculine gender to himself,
but in spite of being hailed as the greatest male
athlete of 1976, he felt defeated by his failure to
be himself. If that wont give pause to the proponents of reparative therapy for trans kids, nothing will. Its tting that Jenners story has arrived
so soon after the statement from the White
House in opposition to conversion therapy for
gay and trans kids. There must be some very
unhappy Republicans listening to this religious
person speak so clearly and humbly.

Oh, wait, it gets worse Jenner is also a
Republican! Not a surprise, as wealth and
privilege do have a habit of causing people to
prioritize their personal assets over societal
needs. Jenner isnt the rst Republican public
transitioner, either, as Susan Stanton had him
beat by almost a decade. While he said hes
willing to meet with Sen. Mitch McConnell and
House Speaker John Boehner, I have a feeling
he will learn quickly just who his friends really
are. He unassumingly recognized that much
of the trans community fares far worse than
he because of his class and racial status, and I
dont expect the Republican Party to embrace
him. But if Ted Cruz would love his daughters if
they were gay, I suppose anything is possible.
This program was an example to America
of responsible journalism, free from titillation
and the usual intrusive questions. It should
also be an example to those Republican legislators who have introduced a slew of anti-trans
(and anti-gay) legislation this year, particularly
targeting children in school. There is hope that
after seeing this broadcast their shame will
cause them to reconsider and back down like
some of their colleagues have already done.
And as for Nikolai Avilov, 1976 decathlon
bronze medalist from the defunct Soviet
Union yes, you former commie bastard,
you did lose to a woman.
DANA BEYER is a longtime LGBT rights
advocate.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
28 MAY 01, 2015
LI F E I N T H E I N T E RSE CT I O N
Baltimore and the intersection of oppression

Similarities between this weeks
protests and Stonewall
LATEEFAH WILLIAMS column addresses

the intersection of race, gender and sexual
orientation. Reach her at lateefah_williams@
msn.com or @lateefah4DC.
The world is now focused on the civil unrest in Baltimore. In recent years, an alarming
number of African Americans have been killed
by law enforcement ocers around the country. The murder of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old
African-American man, by the Baltimore police is not the sole reason that people are so
outraged, hurt and upset. Rather, its the proverbial straw that broke the camels back.
Many African Americans, particular those
who are low-income, have been trapped in
the cycle of poverty, lack of opportunity, police brutality and systemic racism for generations. In Baltimore, African Americans have
been repeatedly targeted and abused by the
police without any repercussions against the
ocers. According to a 2014 report by the
Baltimore Sun, Baltimore has paid about
$5.7 million since 2011 over lawsuits claiming
that police ocers brazenly beat up alleged

suspects. All but one of the victims pictured
on the cover of the Sun article are African
American.
We should all be outraged at oppression
faced by any community and, lets be clear, the
civic unrest in Baltimore is about generations
of oppression. Its important that while viewing
biased media images portraying all of the protesters as aimless, violent looters, we do not
forgot what the protests are truly aboutthe
loss of a young mans life at the hands of the
police. A young man who was alive and asking
for medical attention when he was arrested,
yet died with a broken back and a crushed
voice box a week later.
The protests on Saturday drew more than
1,000 people and the protesters peacefully
marched and chanted for miles. The limited
violence on Sunday did not occur until the
protesters were met by drunk, Baltimore Orioles fans near Camden Yards. Even then, the
overwhelming majority of protesters were
still peaceful and rst-hand accounts indicate
that in several instances white Orioles fans
initiated confrontations with the mostly black
protesters. While Mondays protests drew
more people bent on causing destruction
and are now the focus of the national media,
we cannot allow the narrative to be changed.
The focus must remain on ending police
brutality and improving the desperate living
conditions that too many Baltimore residents
and low-income people around the nation
face. We cannot allow the media and others who lack empathy for the plight of lowincome African Americans to make this story
about looting and rioting.
Members of marginalized groups should
all be concerned when other marginalized
groups are oppressed. As Martin Luther King
said, Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice
everywhere. You do not have to be African
American or low-income to understand that
brutality against Freddie Gray impacts all of us.
The LGBT community, regardless of race or
socio-economic status, should be concerned
that too many police forces across the nation
use excessive force against young, black men.
After all, Im sure that more seasoned members of the LGBT community can recall the
Stonewall Riots. The similarities between the
two events cant be overstated. Both events
began after the police targeted members of
a marginalized community. Both events have
been categorized as riots (and rioting denitely occurred), yet legitimate protests against
systemic discrimination were the primary focus of both acts of civil disobedience.
The Stonewall Riots and the LGBT community unication and organizing that followed
are often seen as the bellwether of the modern
gay rights movement. Thus, it is disheartening
when I hear LGBT people making hateful comments about those engaging in civic unrest in
Baltimore (including the peaceful protesters),
while praising those who engaged in rebellious acts at the Stonewall Inn in the late 1960s.
Dont get me wrong. I dont condone violence

or looting and the people who took advantage
of Freddie Grays death to wreak havoc did the
cause a disservice. However, the deep-rooted
anger is understandable and if the LGBT community would take a step back and truly ponder the situation, the community will realize
that the anger and rebellion is coming from
the same place as it did at the Stonewall Inn.
Feeling oppressed, brutalized by the police,
hopeless, unheard and unseen can be a dangerous mixture. When you add to those factors that many of the rioters are young people
who were born into poverty, have not been
given the tools to escape poverty, and have
not been taught how to eectively advocate
for themselves in a way that brings attention
to their plight, rioting is what we end up with.
People see them for the rst time. People
are actually talking about the conditions that
gave rise to the uprising. Its a shame that it
takes committing destructive acts in your
own community to get the necessary attention to improve living conditions and stamp
out brutality. While those goals may not be
on the minds of those causing the most damage, those who are rioting are clearly hurting
from generations of oppression. Lets not
lose sight of that in our tendency to judge.
Lets also not lose sight that these events began with more than 1,000 peaceful protesters. Now is the time to stand with Baltimore
to ensure that the conditions that have led to
the civic unrest are eradicated.
VIEWPOINT
After marriage, its a transgender moment

Community must rally around
cause of trans visibility
JUSTIN PELIGRI is a student at George

Washington University.
The old saying any press is good press isnt

always true but media coverage of transgender issues proves that this time, it is.
When it comes to covering the transgender
community, a hefty portion of what Ive been
observing recently both in news and entertainment programming has seemingly
been positive.
Of course, were nowhere close to the nish line on this one. But Im reassured, for example, by Diane Sawyers interview with Bruce
Jenner from last week, where Jenners story
and the more general ramications of being transgender in America were critically
examined and sympathetically portrayed.
ABC isnt the only one bringing these powerful personal stories to light. Over the past few
weeks, NBC has produced a smart series about
transgender children and their families, which
have aired on MSNBC and the Nightly News.
Transparent, the ctional portrayal of
what its like to come out as trans later in life
appeared on Amazon this fall to mostly positive reviews.
And transgender icon and actress Laverne
Cox not only appeared at the see-and-be-seen
White House Correspondents Dinner (as the
Blades guest, by the way) but was one of the
stars of the night, even appearing in a muchshared picture with Supreme Court Justice
Antonin Scalia.
This could be the transgender moment
and despite this weeks same-sex marriage
rallies during oral arguments outside the Supreme Court, this is an historic time that the
Ls, Gs, and Bs should embrace and accept as
belonging to all parts of the acronym.
Transgender issues are somewhat new to
the national stage and public consciousness

but gay marriage is not. Just over a decade
ago, same-sex marriage was rst legalized in
Massachusetts. Since then, its slowly but surely
dominated conversations on equality, clogging
our Twitter feeds and being identied as the
one of the very top advocacy priorities for organizations like the Human Rights Campaign.
Now, I dont mean to be a killjoy. But even
though we wont hear an ocial decision on
same-sex marriage from the Supremes until
June, experts have made it pretty clear how
this story is likely to end.
Its also become clear that the same-sex
marriage ght is no longer one we are expected to ght alone. At the rallies Tuesday were all
sorts of advocacy organizations, from NARAL,
to URGE, to the American Civil Liberties Union.
Same-sex marriage is a gay issue but its no
longer exclusively a gay issue.
Thats why theres nothing wrong with adjusting our focus to a campaign that has yet
to garner a broad base of support; namely,
issues like transgender suicide and homelessness rates. Or even conversations about what
it means to be transgender, how this portion
of our American population is not a media fabrication, and how they deserve the same basic
rights even those of us in the gay community
have come to take for granted.
So Sawyer deserves kudos for her interview
with Jenner, as well as her ability to break down
dierences between gender identity and sexual orientation. (Naturally, well-informed D.C.
progressives might have rolled their eyes and
interpreted Sawyers slow-talking as condescending. But just imagine how eye-opening
her report was for those in rural America who
have hardly heard of the word transgender,
let alone met a trans person for themselves.)
I hope everyone who attended the marriage rallies this week enjoyed them. But dont
sit down on your couch in front of the replace with a glass of Pinot Noir just yet. Dont
assume that because you wore a T-shirt with
an equal sign on it, your work or anyone elses
is nished.
This is the transgender moment, and marriage equality supporters have a new responsibility to keep the momentum going.
Its the next battle to invigorate our community.
color!
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 2 9
and coolstuff!
Check out our newly arrived

annuals and perennials for great
spring, summer and fall color.
Great selection of pots and garden
accessoriesand so much more!
seeds
bulbs
tools
mulches
leaf
compost
trees
shrubs
soils
Conveniently located
on Capitol Hill
ginkgogardens.com
911 11th Street, SE

Washington, DC 20003
202.543.5172
Hours:
Monday-Friday 8-7
Saturday 8-6 Sunday 9-5
Lake Barcroft year round vacation living!

J U S T 7 M I L E S T O D C , FA L L S C H U R C H S H I D D E N G E M !
Lake Barcroft offers a peaceful oasis just a short commute to DC, Arlington and Tysons
Corner. Residents enjoy swimming, boating and fishing on their private lake! This
welcoming neighborhood has it all concerts, social clubs, parades, parties and more!
K
$5
BU
R
YE
IN
T
EN
IVE
Lisa DuBois
Broker/Owner, CRS, ABR
703.350.9595
www.3408GreentreeDr.com | $878,000
4br/3.5ba with spacious contemporary addition!
BU
5K
IN
ER
CE
E
TIV
www.3801WhisperingLn.com | $849,900
Stunning 5br/3ba contemporary with 2-car garage!
BU
3K
IN
ER
CE
E
TIV
lisa@chrissyandlisa.com
chrissyandlisa.com
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
EXCELLENT RESULTS
RE/MAX by invitation
4784 Lee Hwy
Arlington, VA 22207
703.677.8730
www.3718WoodlandCir.com | $779,000
Renovated & updated 5br/3ba!
www.6401CavalierCorridor.com | $765,000
Tastefully updated 4br/3ba rambler!
3 0 MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5
lifestyle boutique
Beltway
7405 River Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
301.469.7690
Bethesda-Chevy Chase
5258 River Road
Bethesda, MD 20816
301.656.3311
Landscape
Design|Build|Maintain
7405 River Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
301.762.6301
Mothers day
May 10
show her the love!
americanplant.net
wanna
blade
in your gay-borhood?
call us!
202.747.2077
Better Banking.
memBer owned.
LOWER Loan Rates HIGHER Savings Rates

24/7 Banking & MObILE CHECk dEpOsIt
If you live, work, worship or attend school in D.C.,
youre eligible to jOIn and bank bEttER!
doCFCU.org
202.808.3600
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
H O ME & GA RDE N
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 3 1
Spring brings garden events galore

Local grounds in
full bloom with tours,
festivals and more
By MARIAH COOPER
All Hallow Guilds 76th annual Flower
Mart is at Washington National Cathedral
(3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) today (Friday)
from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday from 10
a.m.-5 p.m. There will be herbs, owers,
food, boutique gifts and childrens
rides. Representatives from select Asia
embassies will also be in attendance. For
more information, visit facebook.com/
owermartbyallhallowsguild.
Ladew Gardens (3535 Jarrettsville Pike,
Monkton, Md.) hosts an array of events in May.
First, the seventh annual Garden
Festival is on Saturday from 10 a.m.4 p.m. More than 40 vendors will be
selling plants, garden ornaments,
antiques, furniture and more. There
will also be complimentary lectures
including Regionally Adapted Plants with
Washington Gardener Magazine Editor
Kathy Lentz at 11 a.m. and Not Your
Mothers Containers, a lecture on fun
container planning, with Ladew sta
member Fran Scully at 1 p.m. Advanced
tickets are $15 for members and $20 for
non-members. Tickets at the door are $20
for members and $25 for non-members.
Ladew also hosts WALK: Spring Birds
on May 23 from 8-10 a.m. Led by Dennis
Kirkwood from the Harford Bird Club,
visitors may explore the gardens and
birds that occupy the grounds.
Storytime in the Gardens and
Nature Stories: Hop-along Froggy is
May 27 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:301:15 p.m. The story time explores how
frogs grow and are recommended from
children ages 2-6. Tickets are $5 per child
and adult pair for members and $15 per
child and adult pair for non- members.
Additional siblings are $5 each. Tickets
include admission to the gardens.
Capitol Hill Restoration Society hosts
its 58th annual House and Garden
Tour on May 9 from 4-7 p.m. and May
10 from noon-5 p.m. The tour begins
at East Capitol and 2nd Street N.E. and
continues east to 8th Street and north to
E Street. Tickets are $35 through May 8
and $40 after May 8. For more details and
to purchase tickets, visit chrs.org or call
PHOTO COURTESY OF LADEW GARDENS
Ladew Gardens in Maryland has events throughout May.
202-543-0425.
Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
(4155 Linnean Ave., N.W.) holds multiple
garden-focused Hands-On workshops in May.
On May 9 from 10 a.m.-noon and from
1:30-3:30 p.m., learn how to make mosslined hanging baskets lled with pink and
purple owers and ornamental foliage.
Tickets for this workshop are $55-65.
On May 16 from 10-11 a.m. and
1-2 p.m. build your own container
gardens. First walk around the gardens
and look at Hillwoods summer designs.
After, build your own container garden.
Tickets are $55-65. For more details, visit
hillwoodmuseum.org.
United States Botanic Garden (100
Maryland Ave., S.W.) hosts multiple
Lunchtime Tours of the Conservatory
from noon- 1 p.m. The tours explore the
permanent display of plants that are used
for everyday purposes. The tour meets in
the Conservatory Garden Court. No preregistration is required.
United States Botanic Garden
also hosts its Celebrating Public
Gardens Tour on May 8 from 10:3011:30 a.m. in celebration of National
Public Gardens Day. Meet at the
National Garden entrance. For a full
list of garden event dates and more

information, visit usbg.gov.
Green
Spring
Gardens
(12000n
Government Center Pkwy., Fairfax, Va.)
hosts the Big Plant Sale on May 16
from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. The sale will feature
more than 40 vendors selling rare and
unusual plants. For more details, visit
fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring.
And if youre planning to do work on
your own garden, check out the services
at Ginkgo Gardens (ginkgogardens.com)
on Capitol Hill (911 11th St., S.E.) which
oers on-site consultations, design and
maintenance services and more.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
PLANTING A TREE HAS
32 M A Y 01, 2015
NEVER BEEN EASIER
PHOTO COURTESY OF STATEPOINT
Innovations in windows, bathtubs and even stereo speakers can make your bathroom the perfect
relaxation spot.
RIVERSMART HOMES
SHADE TREE PROGRAM
Relaxing oasis
Bathrooms can become
luxurious, inviting spaces
with a few upgrades
COMMUNITY TREE
PLANTING PROGRAM
TREE REBATE PROGRAM
Learn more at
CASEYTREES.ORG/PLANTING
Funding for the Tree Rebate and RiverSmart Homes Shade Tree programs
provided by the District Department of the Environment.
(StatePoint) Time spent in the bathroom

can be precious, as it may be your only solo
time. When prioritizing home upgrades,
consider rst transforming a ho-hum,
conventional bathroom into an oasis of
comfort, style and ultimate relaxation.
RELAX
Replace outdated xtures with new
top-quality options that oer greater
functionality. Manufacturers such as
Manseld Plumbing, produce xtures and
ttings designed to work in tandem. Such
suites of a toilet, sink and bathtub can
improve the look of a bathroom setting.
In a toilet, there are certain features
to seek. A SmartHeight toilet allows
for easier access. For those who are
environmentally conscious or looking
for a pocketbook-friendly option, seek
out a WaterSense rated toilet, signifying
greater water conservation.
When it comes to relaxation, the
bathtub is king. Luckily, manufacturers
are innovating features to go beyond
whirlpools. New bathtub oerings include
chromatherapy mood light systems,
thermotherapy heated backrests and
in-line heaters that keep water heated
perfectly. Explore your options at
manseldplumbing.com.
RETREAT
Make your bathroom the perfect
retreat from the rest of the house and the
outside world with a few stylish accents
that provide greater solitude.
For example, privacy decorative
glass windows and privacy acrylic block
windows oered from Hy-Lite are design
elements that dont compromise natural
light. Available in four designer frame
colors, you can go beyond plain frosted
glass with stylish windows that come
either operable or xed in place. Oered

in varying shapes and sizes, its easy
to match windows to other bathroom
elements, such as tiles and countertops.
Full details are available at hy-lite.com.
Take your spa retreat a step further by
piping music into your bathroom with
humidity-resistant speakers unsusceptible
to steamy showers and hot baths.
BEAUTY
On a limited budget you can give the
bathroom an elegant long-term facelift
by investing in millwork products that
resist humidity so you dont experience
warping. From crown moulding to trim
around showers and bathtubs to ceiling
medallions, polyurethane is a more
practical material than traditional wood
for these design elements. Its lightweight,
easy to install, and most importantly,
designed to resist the humidity of bathing.
To get the look of a luxury hotel,
the experts at Fypon, which produce
thousands of pieces of polyurethane
millwork, moulding and trim in a variety
of architectural styles, recommend a few
project ideas:
Install a set of pilasters on both sides of
your shower stall and a door crosshead
overhead to upgrade your bathrooms look.
Surround mirrors and decorative
accent windows with painted or
stained polyurethane mouldings that
complement the room.
Install chair rail moulding around the
bathroom to add dimension. Paint above
or below the moulding and use wallpaper,
paneling or a dierent color paint in the
other section.
Find more project ideas at fypon.com.
While many think of the bathroom as a
place to take care of necessary business,
you can easily give yours an upgrade that
will transform it into a whole lot more.
Washington DC;Magnolia Plmbg, Heating, Cooling;A89047-4.75x11.5-4c (15Sp Ords/adjst)
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
A D V E RTO RI A L
M A Y 01, 2015 33
LIFE MAY NOT BE

PERFECT, BUT YOUR
COMFORT CAN BE.
The Ultimate Comfort System is
a groundbreaking home heating
and cooling system that makes
perfection possible.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MAGNOLIA PLUMBING
How to reduce
summer energy bills
By JUSTIN JOHNSON
With summer almost here, you are
probably getting ready to crank up
your air conditioning to cope with
unseasonably hot days. Soon youll notice
a spike in your monthly electrical bill.
This got me to thinking about the
various mistakes people make that result
in needlessly high energy bills. Here are
some of the things routinely reported by
the highly trained team of professional
service technicians at Magnolia Plumbing:
Dirty lters. HVAC lters should be
changed four times a year. Dirty lters
restrict air ow, reducing eciency and
jacking up energy bills. Longer term,
dirty lters contribute to equipment
breakdown. Most lters are inexpensive.
This is something most home owners are
capable of doing themselves, but surveys
have found that fewer than half of them
bother to do so. If that sounds like you,
contact us about a service agreement
that will ensure your system receives TLC
at least twice a year.
Our service technicians often spot open
windows and screened doors while the
air conditioning is on. Many people like
to sleep with windows open during cool
evenings, but forget to close the windows
when they turn on the air conditioning
during the day. Or they fail to close them
tightly. You can understand how this
wastes money.
Some homes feel like walking into a
freezer. You are entitled to control your
homes climate to your personal comfort
level. Just realize that each degree of

temperature represents about 3 percent
of energy consumption. Thus, if you raise
the thermostat setting from 70 to 75, you
will save about 15 percent on your energy
bill.
If you have to turn the thermostat
down way low to feel comfortable, the
problem may not be with your body
but refrigerant slowly leaking out of the
system. Our technicians know how to
check for leaks and repair them in an
environmentally safe manner.
A simple energy saving tip is to keep
shades and draperies drawn on the sunny
side of the house. This can save 10-20% of
the cost of cooling on a hot summer day.
Our technicians will clear the area
around your outdoor condenser of dirt,
leaves, and other debris that accumulate
over time. This reduces system eciency
and life span. Periodically throughout
the summer you ought to check for
shrubbery growth around the outside
condenser and keep it trimmed.
Our technicians frequently discover leaks
in duct-workthat often arent readily apparent
to the untrained eye. Leaky ducts exposed
to attics or outside air can have the same
eect as an open window. Our technicians
routinely detect and eliminate ineciencies
that can reduce a homes fuelconsumption
by as much as 20%. Saving thatmuch energy
by itself will pay for the servicecall and then
some. Give us a call beforesummer turns on
the blast furnace.
202-829-8510
magnoliaplumbing.com
RECEIVE UP TO
1,700 IN REBATES
with the purchase of a qualifying

Lennox home comfort system.
FREE CONSULTATION ON
REPLACEMENT HEATING/
COOLING SYSTEMS
Can Do. Will Do. Well DoneGuaranteed

www.magnoliaplumbing.com
202-829-8510
600 Gallatin Street NE
Washington, DC 20017-2359
Offer expires 6/12/2015.

*System rebate offers range from $300 to $1,700. Some restrictions apply. See your local Lennox dealer for details.
2015 Lennox Industries Inc. Lennox Dealers include independently owned and operated businesses. One offer available per qualifying purchase.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
34 M A Y 01, 2015
A D V E RT O RI A L
Create A Colorful Garden!

Amazing Annuals, Hanging Baskets
and Container Gardens
Dogwoods Rhododendrons
Flowering Cherries Viburnums Pieris
Verbena Dianthus Roses
New shipment
AZALEAS
And so much more!
Assorted colors and varieties

in beautiful bloom
10.25
Fruits Vegetables Herbs

Landscaping Stones Garden Accents
And expert advice from our Landscape
and Gardening Specialists
While
they last
2 gal. cont. Reg. $14.99

Good 4/29-5/6/15
The American Dream
Visit our stores to enter

our Free Drawings
for a chance to win tickets
to see Nationals Games,
Concerts and Special Events.
A new book about Bob Warhursts

inspirational rise from poverty
to become one of the co-founders
of Merrifield Garden Center.
Available at all three locations, get your copy today!
MERRIFIELD
FAIR OAKS
703-560-6222
703-968-9600
GAINESVILLE
703-368-1919
EXTENDED HOURS! NOW OPEN EVERY DAY 8 AM - 8 PM
merrifieldgardencenter.com
f
fieldgardencenter.com
mgcblade4-30-15.indd 1
4/27/2015 4:34:14 PM
Lets drive.
The all new Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MERRIFIELD
Merrield Garden Center oers an array of colorful plants.
Spring
gardening
tips
Follow this advice
for a beautiful yard
2015 C250 Coupe

Lease from $299/month
for 36 months with $3,199 down*
2015 C300 Sport Sedan

Lease from $339/month
2015 C300 4MATIC Sport Sedan

Lease starting at $359/month
Contact Danny today!
(O) 301-215-5437
(C) 301-351-2116
dnasr@euromotorcars.com
7020 Arlington Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
eurobethesda.com
*Available only to qualied customers at participating authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services at Euro Motorcars Bethesda through 4/30/15. Advertised lease rate based on
a gross capitalized cost of: 2015 C250 Coupe - $38,749; 2015 C300 - $41,074; 2015 C300 4MATIC - $43,027. Includes destination charge. Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep. and
additional options. Total monthly payments equal 2015 C250 Coupe - $10,764; 2015 C300 - $12,204; 2015 C300 4MATIC - $12,924. Cash due at signing includes customer down payment of: 2015 C250 Coupe
- $3,199; 2015 C300 - $3,359; 2015 C300 4MATIC - $3,499, $795 acquisition fee, and rst months lease payment of: 2015 C250 Coupe - $299; 2015 C300 - $339; 2015 C300 4MATIC - $359. Total payments
equal: 2015 C250 Coupe - $14,758; 2015 C300 - $16,358; 2015 C300 4MATIC - $17,218. Subject to credit approval. No security deposit required. At lease end, lessee pays for any amounts due under the lease,
any ofcial fees and taxes related to the scheduled termination, excess wear and use plus $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles, and $595 vehicle turn-in fee.
Visit Merrield Garden Center to

see our enormous selection of colorful
plants. Fresh shipments arrive daily. Here
are some tips to spruce up your yard or
other outdoor space this season:
Spring is an excellent season to
fertilize your owering trees, shrubs and
perennials with Merrield Flowering Plant
Food. Use Merrield Tree and Shrub Food
for lush, green growth on evergreens and
shade trees.
Before adding fresh mulch to your
ower beds, apply a weed preventer such
as Preen, Amaze or an organic alternative
corn gluten meal.
The rst impression of your home
is your landscape. Create eye-catching
curb appeal with beautiful foundation
plantings, a thick green lawn and lots of
gorgeous color.
Hanging baskets and container gardens
add spectacular color. When creating a
container garden, use Merrield Potting
Mix and Soil Moist a water-grabbing
polymer that absorbs excess water and
releases it into the soil when needed.
Visit our display gardens to get great

ideas for your landscape.
Continue planting your edible garden.
Nows a great time to plant basil, beans,
corn, cucumbers, garlic, onions, squash,
tomatoes and much more.
Keep your rose bushes on a spray
program with Rose Shield or Neem Oil for
gorgeous blooms and healthy plants.
Trees are Mother Natures natural
puriers, absorbing carbon dioxide and
releasing clean oxygen into the air. You
may be planting trees to beautify your
landscape, but youre also helping to protect
the earth. We carry a magnicent selection
of trees for every style and budget.
Time to plant apple, pear, peach and
other fruit trees. Fruit trees require two
dierent varieties to pollinate properly.
Please ask one of our plant experts to
guide you selecting varieties.
May through early June is an ideal time to
fertilize your lawn with Merrield Premium
Lawn Food to keep it green and healthy.
Control weeds in your lawn with Weed
Beater Ultra or Speed Zone. If you seeded
your lawn this spring, you must wait
until the new grass has germinated and
been mowed two to three times before
applying. Always follow label instructions.
A D V E RTO RI A L
M A Y 01, 2015 35
PHOTO COURTESY OF SUMMIT COMMERCIAL
View of Kennedy Center from 3245-3255 K St NW located at Georgetowns Potomac River Waterfront and
adjacent to Washington Harbor.
Commercial Building on Georgetown Waterfront

Oers Abundant Options and Views
James Connelly of Summit Commercial
Real Estate presents a rare opportunity
to own a property in the heart of
Georgetown.
Located at 3245-3255 K Street, this
commercial building has access to all of
the amenities of Georgetown as well as
beautiful views of the Potomac River.
Features
of
the
two-story,
11,000-square-foot building include: 13
parking spaces, multiple oce areas,
1,000 square feet of storage, conference/
reception area, and showrooms.
The unique property is close
to Washington Harbor, retail, the
Ritz Carlton, the Swedish Embassy,
Georgetown University, and much more.
A legendary home.
Spectacular gardens.
And youre invited.
Sale Price Options

Option A: 11,000 square feet and 13
parking spaces: $8,789,000
Option B: 6,500 square feet and 7 parking
spaces: $5,072,052
Option C: 4,500 square feet and 6 parking
spaces: $3,716,948
Lease Price: $85 NNN
Site visits by appointment only. To
arrange a showing, please contact James
Connelly of Summit Commercial Real
Estate: jconnelly@summitcre.com or 202491-5300.
This Mothers Day, treat Mom to...
Tickets Available at:
APPALACHIAN SPRING,
UNION STATION
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY
COLDWELL BANKER
GROOVY DC
HILL CENTER
HILLS KITCHEN
homebody
LABYRINTH
May 9-10
2015
www.CHRS.org | 202-543-0425
Look for the CHRS ticket booth at Eastern Market, weekends starting April 18.
PLATINUM SPONSOR:
GOLD SPONSORS:
SILVER SPONSORS:
Now open every Sunday Hours: Tues Sun 10am 5pm HillwoodMuseum.org
4155 Linnean Ave. NW, Washington DC Free parking
MOTHERS DAY
WEEKEND
14170_CHRS_Ad_Blade-quarte_2.indd 1
4/17/15 12:52 PM
HIL-0027_Current_4x8_May1_4CNP_v4.indd 1
4/28/15 4:59 PM
212-675-4106
WASHINGTON BLADE
MAY 1, 2015
4.75 x 11.5" 4C NP
Where
Fabulous
Lives
LaPlacaCohen
Publication:
Insertion date:
Size:
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
3 6 MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5
JUNE 5
THE B-52S
BERLIN
JULY 22
BRANDI
CARLILE
JULY 28
INDIGO GIRLS
FIRST AID KIT
JULY 31
RUFUS
WAINWRIGHT
NATIONAL SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA
GILL LANDRY
EMIL DE COU, CONDUCTOR
AUG 2
AUG 10
DAVID SEDARIS
CULTURE CLUB
AUG 28
KRISTIN
CHENOWETH
SEP 12 & 13
KELLY
CLARKSON
PENTATONIX
ERIC HUTCHINSON
MILLION
DOLLAR
QUARTET
KOOL &
THE GANG
CHAKA KHAN
MAY 30
BEN HARPER &

THE INNOCENT
CRIMINALS
TONY AWARD-WINNING
MUSICAL
JULY 30
JUNE 2628
INGRID
MICHAELSON
PINK
MARTINI
JUKEBOX
THE GHOST
THE PIANO
GUYS
ON
SALE
NOW!
OH HONEY
JUNE 3
JULY 10
AN EVENING
WITH THE
CREATORS
OF SERIAL:
SARAH KOENIG
& JULIE SNYDER
JULY 15
JUNE 6
PUNCH
BROTHERS
BLA FLECK &
ABIGAIL
WASHBURN
MADAMA
BUTTERFLY
WOLF TRAP OPERA
NATIONAL SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA
CHORAL ARTS
AUG 7
DIANA KRALL
HUBBARD
STREET
DANCE
CHICAGO
JUNE 24
AUG 6
RODRIGO Y
GABRIELA
WITH WOLF TRAP

ORCHESTRA
WALLFLOWER
WORLD TOUR
JULY 25
GRANT GERSHON,
CONDUCTOR
SEP 6
SUMMER 2015
AND MANY MORE!
WOLFTRAP.ORG
1.877.WOLFTRAP
ARTS
AND
ENTERTAINMENT
Actress-turned-author
explores power and
pain of typecasting
By JOEY DiGUGLIELMO
joeyd@washblade.com
Actress Maria Bello spent the summer
of 2013 in bed ill with a parasitic illness she
contracted while doing relief work in Haiti.
Turning to the roughly 150 journals shes
been keeping since age 10, the actress,
best known for her roles in the lms
Payback, Coyote Ugly and A History of
Violence as well as the TV hit ER, found
herself pondering all sorts of questions
from all facets of her life from work, family,
romantic relationships and more.
She eventually distilled her personal
discoveries into the new book Whatever
Love is Love: Questioning the Labels
We Give Ourselves. On Monday night
shell be in Washington at the Sixth &
I Synagogue to discuss the book with
Daniel Jones of the New York Times,
which published her essay Coming
Out as a Modern Family, in which she
discussed her current relationship with
partner Clare Munn.
We talked with her Tuesday the
day of the Supreme Court marriage
arguments by phone to nd out why
she has such a thorny relationship with
labels. Her comments have been slightly
edited for length.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
MARIA BELLO: How are you?

WASHINGTON BLADE: Were good. Its
a big day in Washington!
BELLO: I know! Ive been watching all
day and tweeting about it. Im so excited
and the whole community must be.
BLADE: Yes, it feels momentous.
BELLO: It is. Were on the verge and the
tide is changing and its very exciting.
BLADE: It sounds like you had an
epiphany of sorts when you began your
relationship with Clare. Prior to that, had
you had much involvement or investment
in LGBT issues?
BELLO: Yes, always, even when I was
going to a Catholic university. Ive always
been involved in LGBT rights because
they have always been a huge force in
human rights in general and its a human
right to be able to marry who you love
and love who you love. I was very inspired
by Marsha P. Johnson, a famous AfricanAmerican transgender, amboyant, really
beautiful woman when I used to live on
Christopher Street. She threw the rst
shot glass at Stonewall.
BLADE: Did you journal continuously or
in spurts over the years?
BELLO: Pretty consistently. I started
at 10 but only have them going back to
age 13. The rst one I have is a green
notebook with little hearts drawn all over
VOLUME
46
ISSUE
18
MAY
01
2015
PAGE
37
PHOTO BY AMANDA DEMME; COURTESY OF DEY STREET BOOKS
MARIA BELLO says a 2013 illness that sidelined her gave her time to rethink the rigid way society
categorizes love, sexuality and relationships, labels she says never t her own life.
it. The challenge with my journals was

trying to choose the material to go into the
book and what I realized more and more
was that I wasnt just taking a walk down
memory lane, I was uncovering all these
pieces and I had so many questions about
the girl I was, the woman I had become,
about my family, you know, myself, my
religion, my sexuality and as I started
asking more questions, I heard from so
many more people that they were asking
similar questions. I had no idea it would
become part of a larger conversation. I
always journalized pretty consistently. I
cant imagine I ever went more than three
months or so without writing. Sometimes
they were just gratitude lists I made
because I was so miserable.
BLADE: What big picture started to
emerge from reading them?
BELLO:
Relationships
are
uid,
partnerships are uid, life is uid and the
more you accept that, which is sometimes
a very hard thing to accept, you become
more mindful. It doesnt mean youre
happy all the time. Sometimes its just
being where youre at. Sometimes you
could be miserable and mindful and I
have to allow myself space to have those

days and sometimes those weeks where,
you know, youre sad, angry confused.
But my mom always told me unless you
hit the bottom, youre not able to push
yourself back up. I always loved that.
BLADE: How do you dierentiate
between happiness, joy and containment?
BELLO: Its kind of what I just answered.
More coming from my preferred self,
my most authentic self. When I can do
that and be in the moment, I am more
curious and happier when I have an
understanding of that and, you know,
connect to my higher power. Call it God,
call it whatever you like. For me, its that
connection that brings me joy. And also
watching my son play soccer. Hes going
to Ireland this summer to play in like the
world cup of kids soccer. Hes freaking
awesome.
BLADE: How old is Jackson?
BELLO: Hes 14. He was 12 when he
said those amazing words (that became
the book title).
CONTINUES ON PAGE 48
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
38 MAY 01, 2015
Q U E E RY : 2 0 Q U E ST I O N S F O R RA Y CE E N P E N D A RV I S
By JOEY DiGUGLIELMO
joeyd@washblade.com
Rayceen Pendarvis had a long and colorful career in all kinds of endeavors
before starting the Ask Rayceen show at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library
in 2013. The show started as a natural outgrowth of the kind of life-arming
wisdom hes been sharing for years.
He calls the show a safe space and forum for LGBTQ people to express
themselves and showcase local talent.
The show is now held at LIV Nightclub (2001 11th St., N.W.) on the second
oor. The next installment, slated for Wednesday, will nd Rayceen holding
court with a variety of local and national LGBT leaders such as Sharon
Lettman-Hicks of National Black Justice Coalition, David Mariner of the DC
Center, Ruby Corado of Casa Ruby and several others. Ramona Montanez and
DJ Angie D will provide music. Rayceen will also interview several emerging
leaders. The show, which features live music, discussion, comedy, games and
more is always held on the rst Wednesday of each month March-November.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for the show at 7. Admission is free.
Rayceen identies as gay, a gender-bender and earth mother to the
gays. The native Washingtonian works by day as a nail technician at VSL.
Hes coy on a few topics such as age (I take advantage of my AARP card!) and
relationship status (I recently met someone who enriches my life).
He lives in Brentwood and enjoys prayer, uplifting the community and
giving back in his free time.
202.747.2077
How long have you been out and who

was the hardest person to tell?
Essentially, I was always out. Hiding
it from myself was the hardest thing.
Once I embraced who I am, that made
it easier for me. When others around
you experience your honesty and see
you standing in your truth, that makes it
easier to dialogue with anyone.
Whos your LGBT hero?

Its dicult to pick one. I am in awe of my
trans sisters who stood on the forefront
of the LGBT movement and broke
down barriers, from the ballroom to the
boardroom to the ballot. Im particularly
impressed by the work of Earline Budd,
Lourdes Ashley Hunter and Janet Mock.
Whats Washingtons best

nightspot, past or present?
The best nightspots of the past were the
Brass Rail and Tracks. They represented
two dierent eras but both celebrated
freedom for people regardless of age,
color, ethnicity, nationality, sex, gender
expression or sexual orientation. We
all came together and danced our
troubles away! The best nightspot now
is Liv at 11th and U Street, N.W. on rst
Wednesdays, where The Ask Rayceen
Show continues that spirit of inclusion,
unity and community.
Describe your dream wedding.

It doesnt matter where, when or how
much it costs what matters is having
that special day with the man I love and
sharing it with family and friends.
What non-LGBT issue are

you most passionate about?
The issue of police brutality, the prison
industrial complex and the school-toprison pipeline. Im pleased that the
#BlackLivesMatter movement is gaining
momentum. But like most issues, we
should be mindful of intersectionality
and that ultimately it all impacts LGBT
communities.
What historical outcome

would you change?
The assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. and President Kennedy.
Whats been the most memorable pop

culture moment of your lifetime?
The release of Michael Jacksons Thriller
album and music video.
On what do you insist?

That we are all kind to one another.
What was your last

Facebook post or Tweet?
My last Tweet: May 6 #AskRayceen
Show @ Liv (U St NW): Community
Forum + Live Music by Ramona
Montaez (@RamonasSpot). Doors
open 6 p.m. Admission is FREE. If you

follow @AskRayceen, you know that
Twitter is an excellent forum for making
shameless plugs!
If your life were a book,

what would the title be?
Not All Queens Wear Crowns
If science discovered a way

to change sexual orientation,
what would you do?
I certainly wouldnt change mine. I am
perfect the way I am.
What do you believe in

beyond the physical world?
I am convinced there is a heaven
because of all the hell LGBTQ people
have endured in this life; and those who
use religion as an excuse to hate and kill
their access to heaven will be denied!
Whats your advice for

LGBT movement leaders?
To strive to be as inclusionary as
possible. Please dont cast anyone aside;
everyone should be brought to the table.
I also want them to know that what they
do matters. Never give up, because our
work is never done.
What would you walk

across hot coals for?
All of the amazing members of Team
Rayceen, because I know they would do
the same for me.
What LGBT stereotype

annoys you most?
The idea that we want to convert
people or turn out heterosexuals.
Whats your favorite LGBT movie?

The Boys in the Band
Whats the most

overrated social custom?
Shaking hands. I much rather greet
someone with a hug.
What trophy or prize

do you most covet?
An Emmy for best talk show. (I speak
it into existence!) My most cherished
award is the Angel Award, in honor of
my mentor and mother Avis Pendavis,
presented to me at the 2014 Latex
Ball in New York City by Luna and Sol
Pendarvis.
What do you wish youd known at 18?

I wish I knew that HIV/AIDS was about to
hit my community so that I could have
informed, educated and encouraged
everyone to use condoms so that they
could have lived.
Why Washington?
Im free and its my home.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
T HE ATER
M A Y 01, 2015 39
THE CLASSIC FAIRY TALE COMES TO LIFE

LIKE NEVER BEFORE WITH UPROARIOUS
COMEDY & FABULOUS TWISTS!
PHOTO COURTESY OF QUOTIDIAN
Maggie Smith vehicle shines

in local production
By PATRICK FOLLIARD
British playwright Sir Peter Shaer
wrote Lettice and Lovage specically for
his friend Dame Maggie Smith.
At the heart of this comedic and
sometimes poignant tale is Miss Lettice
Douet, a highly dramatic expert on
Elizabethan
cuisine
and
medieval
weaponry who nds diculty tting into
the modern world. Lettice is a role in
which Smith shone, winning wide praise
for the 1987 London premiere and a Tony
Award for the 1990 New York production.
Now audiences can see Shaers comedy
at Bethesdas Quotidian Theatre Company.
And while there isnt a titled international
star in the lead, local actress Jane Squire
Bruns gives a formidable and heartfelt
turn as the eccentric Englishwoman who
cant endure the mere, and has adopted
her late mothers motto as her own:
Enlarge! Enliven! Enlighten!
The play traces the unlikely relationship
between two ladies who share an interest
in history and distaste for modern
architecture. Both are single and of a
certain age, but similarities end there.
In the farcical rst act, we nd Lettice in
action. As the docent of historic Fustian
House, the dullest great house in England,
she cannot resist but to enliven her tours.
With each successive group of visitors (played
by the same quartet of quick-changing
actors), she increasingly embellishes the
houses history until it no longer resembles
the truth whatsoever. As her stories become
more fanciful, the once dgety tourists
transform into a rapt audience.
Eventually the Preservation Trust
hears about their rogue employee and
Miss Lotte Schoen (Leah Mazade), a gray
bureaucrat with a penchant for facts,
is sent to inspect. Ultimately Lettice is
sacked and neither a very dramatic exit
nor a stack of fan letters from satised
Fustian House visitors alters the fact.
But Lotte was struck by Lettices spirit

and several months later she drops in
on Lettice, unannounced, at her modest
basement apartment to give her a
generous letter of recommendation. Truly
touched, Lettice breaks out a celebratory
carafe of homemade medieval qua
(booze mixed with an herb called lovage),
and the women bond. Lettice speaks of
her equally eccentric late mother, who
acted the male leads in the Shakespeare
plays that her troupe performed in
France. A seriously buzzed Lotte shares
her past including stories of an aborted
career in architecture and a lost love. Its
here where Bruns and Mazade are at their
best and the play at its most engaging.
At three hours, its a long evening (or
matinee), but director Louis Pangaro
keeps things at a quick enough pace. He
sets the scene with a projection of Fustian
Houses great carved wooden staircase,
and eectively contrasts images of
historical English architecture with steely,
impersonal modern edices. Also thrown
in are projected portraits of royals who
met untimely deaths including Davids
simple yet haunting sketch of a decidedly
unglamorous Marie Antoinette en route
to the guillotine.
In the plays nal act, set in the same
basement at, Lettice reluctantly answers
questions posed by her appointed lawyer
Mr. Bardolph (an excellent John Decker),
about an assault that took place ostage.
It seems that Lettice and Lottes friendship
has developed into a weekly night of drama
and fun where the women act out the great
executions of British history. But the last
time things got out of hand. Here the play
devolves into silliness, though it ends with
an eective feel-good ending in which a
love for things old and beautiful triumphs.
LETTICE AND LOVAGE
Through May 17
Quotidian Theatre Company
The Writers Center
4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD
$30
301-816-1023
Quotidiantheatre.org
PHOTOS BY BRETT COOMER/HOUSTON GRAND OPERA
LEAH MAZADE, left, and Jane Squier Bruns in Lettice and Lovage.
MAY 921
OPERA HOUSE
Tickets on sale now!
(202) 467-4600 kennedy-center.org

Tickets also available at the Box Office
Groups (202) 416-8400
In Italian with projected English titles
Major support for WNO is provided by Jacqueline Badger Mars.

David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of WNO.
General Dynamics is the proud sponsor of WNOs 2014-2015 Season.
WNO acknowledges the longstanding generosity of Life Chairman Mrs. Eugene B. Casey.
Generous support for WNO Italian opera is provided by Daniel and Gayle DAniello.
E: 05.01.15
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
40 MA Y 01, 2015
O U T & A BO U T
WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY PETE EXIS
SPECIAL
MOTHERS
DAY MENU
M-Th 11:30aM-10pM F-saT 11:30aM-11pM
suN. bruNch 11aM-3pM / diNNer 3-10pM
322 Mass. ave. Ne 202.543.7656
cafeberlin-dc.com
Youth Pride returns

Youth Pride Day is Saturday from noon- 5 p.m. in Dupont Circle with an afterparty, Infatuation, at Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.)
from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
The event is for all LGBT people and allies who are 24 and younger. Youth
Pride Day will be lled with performances, speakers and testimonials. The dance
will have music played by DJ Keenan, free pizza and a rae. There will also be
Chipotle gift cards for those who receive HIV/STI testing.
For more details, visit youthpridealliance.org.
By MARIAH COOPER
Gays gather at zoo
REVEREND
Gay Day at the Zoo is Sunday

international family equality day at
the Smithsonian National Zoo (3001
Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 11 a.m.-7
p.m.
The event is free but several sponsorship
levels are available that involve a variety
of perks. T-shirts are available for preorder for $15 at thedccenter.org.
WITT (Women in Their Twenties) will
also have a scavenger hunt during the
event at 1 p.m. Meet by the main entrance
for details on that. More information at
the WITT page on Facebook as well.
BIG DAMN BAND

W/ SWAMPCANDY
Penchant for the profane
LIVE
TOM
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
PRINCIPATOS
DC BLUES
EXPLOSION
W/ ANDY POXON
FRIDAY MAY 1
the
PEYTONS
SATURDAY MAY
THURS, MAY 7
ADVERTISING PROOF
THE BRINDLEY BROTHERS
AND THE REPRESENTATIVE:
HAMILTON PRESENT: JERYL PARADE (jparade@washblade.com)
SALES
GRIFFIN HOUSE
EVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of
oof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of
e date of proof. Revisions will not beFRI,
accepted
after 8
12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts
MAY
mnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is
sponsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users
n link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or
y rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any
pyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair
mpetition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation,
any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the
ashington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all
bility, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred
brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertisers breach of any of the foregoing representations
d warranties.
NEWMYER FLYER PRESENTS
A TRIBUTE TO CAROLE KING:

TAPESTRY AND
BEST OF GOFFIN-KING
SAT, MAY 9
LIVE AT THE FILLMORE
THE DEFINITIVE TRIBUTE

TO THE ORIGINAL
ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
THEHAMILTONDC.COM
PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Photo project explores LGBT safety

Participants in a recent photography study will present their work in

Safekeeping: Images from the LGBT Photovoice Study Saturday from 3-5 p.m.
at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (545 7th St., S.E.).
The event, dubbed a participatory action research study that uses
photography, group dialogue, collaborative analysis and community engagement
as mechanisms for hearing, amplifying and responding to the voices of LGBT
adults in Washington, will feature work by Iden Campbell McCollumn, whos
transgender, and Gregory Johnson, whos gay. The goal of the project was to
identify the barriers to safety among LGBT adults.
After the exhibit, the photos can be viewed at thephotovoiceproject.org.
Its free and open to the public.
Crack is back Saturday night with

Orange is the New Crack at 10 p.m.
(doors at 9) at Town Danceboutique (2009
8th St., N.W.).
This show nds Summer Camp sent
to prison for a murder she may or may
not have committed. While incarcerated,
she meets a motley crew of prisoners
including show co-creators Chris Farris
and Karl Marks, plus performers Rumor
Millz, Jaxknife, Salvadora Dali, Champagne
Supernova, Troye, Rene PorcelainDahl,
Harley Q, Aaron Riggins, Grant Barker,
Devon Trotter and more.
The show is billed as being for anyone
craving the bizarre and shocking
with drag performances, audience
participation, improv and more.
Tickets are $10 and available at the
door. For ages 21 and older.
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 4 1
Songs and stories

from Civil and Equal
Rights movements
May 15, 2015 at 8:00pm

May 16, 2015 at 3:00pm (ASL) & 8:00pm
Lincoln Theatre
1215 U Street NW
featuring the debut of the
Chorus
Tickets: Call 1-877-435-9849 or visit www.GMCW.org
and special guest

Maiya Sykes
from NBC-TVs The Voice
award-winning
local stores
national reputation
Arlington, VA
4805 Lee Hwy 703-525-0990
free parking! fine wine, craft beer,
artisan cheeses & cured meats
downtown dc
entr
an
2175 k st nw 202-785-0785 on 22nd scte.
free delivery* fine wine,
craft beer & small batch spirits **Certain mile radius
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
42 MAY 01, 2015
A RT S & CU LT U RE
HOT HITS & HIDDEN JEWELS

From CultureCapital.com
YOUR LINK TO THE ARTS IN METRO D.C.
A Frank View of Life in Politics and the Real World:

Barney Frank Speaks His Mind. May 5. The Smithsonian
Associates. Museum of Natural History.
202-633-3030. smithsonianassociates.org.
The former legislator shares his unvarnished thoughts on Congress, the closeddoor workings of the Hill, and how private and public life intersected in his
political career. Evening Lecture with Book Signing.
The Fire and The Rain

Thru May 24. Constellation Theatre Company.
202-204-7741. constellationtheatre.org.
In this mystical exploration of humanity, we encounter a mask that possesses

its owner, a tortured demon-soul on a mission, and a supernatural act of
compassion. Fascinating surprises abound!
MOMIX: Alchemia
May 1 & 2. GMU Center for the Arts.
888-945-2468. cfa.gmu.edu.
This new work about the art of alchemy manipulates the four classic elements:
earth, air, re, and water, to create a visually arresting theatrical experience full
of whimsy, sensuality, beauty, and intrigue.
5-Star Design: Patrick OConnell of the Inn at Little Washington

May 7. The Smithsonian Associates. Ripley Center.
202-633-3030. smithsonianassociates.org.
The chef and proprietor of the celebrated restaurant and hotel reveals how
architectural ingenuity and opulent interior design transformed a former
garage into a luxurious country destination. Evening Lecture with Book Signing.
IMAGE COURTESY OF THE SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES.
Buy
Discount Tickets
THEATRE
Murder Ballad. Thru May 10. Studio
Theatre. 202-332-3300.
studiotheatre.org.
Uncle Vanya. Thru May 3. Round
House Theatre. 240-644-1100.
roundhousetheatre.org.
Carousel. Thru May 10. Olney Theatre.
301-924-3400. olneytheatre.org.
Mariela in the Desert. Thru May 10.
GALA Hispanic Theatre. 202-234-7174.
galatheatre.org.
Memphis. May 1-May 2. Mo Amer.
May 3. Torn Between 2 Fathers. May
7-10. Warner Theatre. 202-783-4000.
warnertheatredc.com.
Shear Madness. Ongoing. Kennedy
Center. 800-444-1324.
shearmadness.com.
Swing Time - The Musical. Thru Jun
27. Navy Memorial. 202-737-2300.
swingtimethemusical.com.
The Human Capacity. May 2-May
9. Clarice Smith. 301-405-2787.
claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.
Freedoms Song: Abraham Lincoln
and the Civil War. Thru May 20. Fords
Theatre. 800-982-2787. fords.org.
28th Annual Evening of Comedy.
May 1-2. Wolf Trap. 877-965-3872.
wolftrap.org.
Fox On The Fairway. Thru May 9.
Reston Community Players. CenterStage.
703-476-4500. restonplayers.org.
Hamlet, Q1. May 1-May 30. Taety Punk
Theatre Company. CHAW. 202-355-9441.
taetypunk.com.
Very Still & Hard to See. Thru May 10.
Rorschach Theatre. Atlas. 202-399-7993.
rorschachtheatre.com.
On Approval. Thru May 17. Washington
Stage Guild. Undercroft Theatre.
240-582-0050. stageguild.org.
DANCE
Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh
Dance Company. May 2-May 3. Dance
Place. Dance Places NEXTgeneration
Showcase. May 2. Dance Place. Catholic
University of America. 202-269-1600.
danceplace.org.
Persistent Voices by Daniel Phoenix
Singh. May 6. Reston Community
Center. CenterStage. 703-476-4500.
restoncommunitycenter.com.
MUSIC
RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles. May 1.
Strathmore. 301-581-5100. strathmore.
org.
Jayme Stones Lomax Project. May
1. Psycho Killers. May 2. Omer Avital
Quintet. May 7. AMP. 301-581-5100.
ampbystrathmore.com.
Concert: United States Army Band.
May 3. National Gallery of Art.
202-737-4215. nga.gov.
Beethovens Symphony No. 5. Thru
May 2. Mahlers Symphony No. 5.
May 7-May 9. NSO. Kennedy Center.
The Blues Hall of Fame Tour. May 1.

Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.
kennedy-center.org.
ILoveMakonnen. May 1. Erica Campbell
of Mary Mary. May 3. Howard Theatre.
202-803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com.
Lila Downs. May 1. GW Lisner
Auditorium. 202-994-6800.
lisner.gwu.edu.
Mozarts Jupiter Symphony. May 2-May
3. National Philharmonic. Strathmore.
301-581-5100. nationalphilharmonic.org.
Beauty Pill. Thru May 2. Artisphere.
888-841-2787. artisphere.com.
Carmina Burana: Evening Lecture with
Live Performance. May 6. TSA. Museum
of the American Indian. 202-633-3030.
smithsonianassociates.org.
New Dominion Chorale: Gilbert
& Sullivan. May 3. Rachel M.
Schlesinger Concert Hall. 703-845-6156.
schlesingercenter.com.
Augustin Hadelich & Joyce Yang. May
3. JCC of Greater Washington.
301-348-3872. jccgw.org.
MUSEUMS
National Gallery of Art. Drawing in
Silver and Gold. May 3-Jul 26. In Light
of the Past. May 3-Jul 26. 202-737-4215.
nga.gov.
Folger Shakespeare Library. Ships,
Clocks, & Stars: The Quest for Longitude.
Thru Aug 23. folger.edu.
Kennedy Center. Dustin Yellin:
Psychogeographies. Thru May 6.
800-444-1324. kennedy-center.org.
National Archives. Spirited Republic:
Alcohol in American History. Thru Jan 10.
202-357-5000. archivesfoundation.org.
Kreeger Museum. Flemish
Expressionism: A Modernist Vision. Thru
May 15. 202-337-3050.
kreegermuseum.org.
Museum of Women in the Arts. Doris
Lee: American Painter and Illustrator.
Thru May 8. 202-783-5000. nmwa.org.
District Architecture Center. reVISION.
Thru Jun 13. 202-347-9403. aiadac.com.
Fords Theatre. Silent Witnesses:
Artifacts of the Lincoln Assassination.
Thru May 25. 202-347-4833. fords.org.
National Geographic. Monster Fish: In
Search of the Last River Giants. Thru Oct
11. 202-857-7000. nglive.org.
GALLERIES
Strathmore. If the Shoe Fits. Thru May
31. 301-581-5100. strathmore.org.
DCCAH. Duke Ellington Student
Exhibition. Thru May 10. 202-724-5613.
dcarts.dc.gov.
BlackRock. Sabine Carlson, Nancy
Frankel, and Bobbi Shulman. May 6-May
30. 301-528-2260. blackrockcenter.org.
The Art League Gallery. Bits & Pieces.
Thru May 4. John Gosling. May 7-Jun 1.
703-683-1780. theartleague.org.
Arts Club of Washington. May Art
Exhibition. May 1-30. 202-331-7282.
artsclubofwashington.org.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
M USI C
M A Y 01, 2015 43
N
JU
Y
MA 1 5
20
PHOTO COURTESY OF PROJECT PUBLICITY
Out singer BILLY WINN says his career started to take o when he came out and started recording
dance music.
m
Lia
rly
be
Kim
rt,
be
Gil
an
ath
on
dJ
an
A
na gay
a vi a
an nd o gate ma
o d ff s teu
yo f Br hea the love r s
un ita rtb fie a oc
g in re ld nd cer
pl s m ak , in lo t
ay
e
w os ing thi ss, am
rig t e pl s bo
ht xc ay hila th
s. iti by ri o
ng o ou n
ne s
n,
len
lG
ae
o.
ss
Ru
edg
Ju
US
ED
27
ES
DA
Y,
M
AY
S
at pec
T S ia
co icke TUD l $3
re mp t in IO 6 ti
ce li c T ck
pt me lud HE et
io n e A s
n! ta s a T av
ry d RE ail
pr mi .O ab
e- ss R le
sh ion G/ on
ow t BL lin
o A e
DE on
. ly
TS
RG
.O
RE
T
EA 0
LS
TH 30
EL EY
IO 2.3
W N
UD 33
M OR
ST 02.
TO T T
2
BY AT
M
BY
IER
EM
PR
ED
CT
RE
DI
Things in D.C. didnt work out for singer

Billy Winn quite how he planned.
The Pittsburgh native came here in
2009 to study English at Georgetown
University. And while he loved it, he
says gradual realizations that he didnt
want to be a teacher and a growing itch
to pursue music eventually led him to
abandon his academic plans.
The out singer, who specializes in EDM
and pop/R&B, says things have gradually
started clicking for him through sheer
persistence. A key turning point, he says,
was deciding to be out.
When I rst started making records in
D.C., I really still felt at the time a certain
amount of pressure to keep my sexuality
sort of a non-subject because of the kind
of music I was making and the audience,
he says. But the music suered in a way. It
wasnt as genuine as I would have liked for
it to be. So I eventually started working with
some producers I really liked who really just
kind of got me on an artistic level. We started
playing around with some dance records
and everything then pretty much clicked.
He had a modest hit last summer with
Future X Boyfriend, which reached No.
22 on Billboards Dance/Club Songs chart.
In February, he released two new cuts,
Cruel Intentions and He Wont Do, a

suggestive, up-tempo track that nds
him hooking up with an ex, an experience
he says is based on a true story. Hes
signed with the Los Angeles-based
Kaleidosphere Records, a new label that
specializes in dance.
I always try to say something
provocative and write from a real place,
either a situation Ive been in or someone
I know has been in, he says. I had a
relationship with an ex that was really
tumultuous. The only way we really
connected was sexually. It was one of
those things where we could barely stand
to be in the same room together unless
sex was involved. Its a little scandalous
but as I was writing it I thought, I dont
care, Im going to do it anyway.
Winn, whos performed at Capital Pride
a few times and will return this year,
makes his debut at Town Danceboutique
Saturday night (actually Sunday morning)
at 1:30 a.m. with a 15-minute set on the
upstairs stage.
Its the most intense 15 minutes Ive
ever put together, he says.
Winn is single and lives in NOMA. He
says hes open to dating in Washington
but his career, which he works at full time,
has made it hard.
Not everyone understands that, he says.
Its like starting a business, any business. You
spend crazy hours working and just letting
people know you exist and sometimes those
are hours a boyfriend or signicant other
might feel is time they deserve.
R
FO S
S ST
ER PO
MP AL
JU GO
By JOEY DiGUGLIELMO
joeyd@washblade.com
ich
,M
tin
ar
oM
nk
de
,Z
e
rd
Fo
Budding dance artist

gearing up for
weekend Town set
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
44 MAY 01, 2015
CA LE N D A R
and conversation with other community
members. For more information, visit
thedccenter.org.
Us Helping Us (3636 Georgia Ave.,
N.W.) holds a support group for gay black
men to discuss topics that aect them,
share perspectives and have meaningful
conversations. For details, visit uhupil.org.
E-mail calendar items to calendars@washblade.

com two weeks prior to your event. Space is limited so priority is given to LGBT-specic events
or those with LGBT participants. Recurring
events must be re-submitted each time.
TODAY
NOVA Gay and Lesbian Professionals
hosts a professional networking social
this evening at Pinzimini Lounge at the
Westin Arlington Gateway (801 N. Glebe
Rd., Arlington, Va.) from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
For more details, visit gogaydc.org.
Scandal hosts a D.E.B.S-themed party
at Comet Ping Pong (5037 Connecticut
Ave., N.W.) tonight at 10 p.m. There will be
drink specials including PBRs for $2.50. DJ
DeeDub and DJ Lez Rage will play music
for the night. Guests are encouraged to
wear plaid school girl outts. There will
also be a chance to win a bar tab. For
more information, visit facebook.com/
scandaldc.
Lesbian comedian Fay Jacobs has her
show Aging Gracelessly: 50 Shades of Fay
at CAMP Rehoboth Community Center
(37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.)
tonight at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 4 and
8 p.m. The show consists of a reading in
two acts with a cocktail intermission. The
material is based on Jacobss memoirs
and columns. Tickets are $20. For more
details, visit camprehoboth.com.
The Trevor Project hosts A Night Out
for Trevor at Hotel Palomar (2121 P St.,
N.W.) tonight from 7-9:30 p.m. There will be
a performance by Alex Newell from Glee,
bar and hors doeuvres. General admission
tickets are $100, NextGen tickets for guests
21-29 are $75 and Springtime Access tickets
are $175 and include a hosted champagne
bar, a performance by Newell and a gift. For
more information, visit thetrevorproject.org.
SATURDAY, MAY 2
Unity of Fairfax Church (2854 Hunter
Mill Rd., Oakton, Va.) hosts the Art of
Wellness Fair today from 1-5 p.m. There
will be demonstrations and presentations
focused on health and wellness such
as classes on Qigong, learning about
healing touch, meditations sessions and
much more. There will also be vegan
food available. Admission is $10 in
advance and $15 at the door. For more
information and to purchase tickets, visit
unityoairfax.org.
Lambda Links LGBT Golfers hosts
its Presidents Cup team competition at
Cross Creek Golf Club (12800 Bay Hill Dr.,
Beltsville, Md.) at 11:04 a.m. Singles will
be paired or teams can sign up together.
Non-members admission is $45. For
more details, visit lambdalinks.com.
Melrose Georgetown Hotel (2430
Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) hosts a Kentucky
Derby party today from 3-7 p.m. There
will be a live screening of the derby race,
derby cocktails and betting for no charge.
Guests are encouraged to dress in fancy
southern fashion. For more information,
TUESDAY, MAY 5
SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) hosts a Rap
Group today from 5-6:30 p.m. Discuss
stressful issues like school, bullying,
getting into college or nding a job in
this support group. For more details, visit
smyal.org.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.)
hosts its weekly FUK!T Packing Party from
7-9 p.m. tonight. For more details, visit
thedccenter.org or greenlanterndc.com.
Bachelors Mill has half-price drinks all
night long from 5 p.m.-2 a.m.tonight. They
also have pool, video gaming systems and
cards. Admission is free. For more details,
visit bachelorsmill.com.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
Bookmen D.C., an informal mens gay
literature group, discusses Closer by
Dennis Cooper,a novel about a young
man who is used and abused by other
men after the death of his mother, at
Cleveland Park Library (3310 Connecticut
Ave., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. All are
welcome. For details, visit bookmendc.
blogspot.com.
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge
Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the
Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for social
bridge. No partner needed. For more
information, call 301-345-1571.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TREVOR PROJECT
Glee star ALEX NEWELL will be at Night Out for Trevor Friday night at Hotel Palomar.
visit melrosehoteldc.com.
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer
organization, volunteers today for the
Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation at
the Falls Church PetSmart (6100 Arlington
Blvd., Falls Church, Va.) at 11:45 a.m.
today. You will be paired with a dog on a
leash to walk around and play with. Wear
casual clothes. For more information,
visit burgundycrescent.org.
SUNDAY, MAY 3
Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct.,
N.W.) hosts Bears Can Party: Retro
Remixed Sundays tonight from 6-10
p.m. Old favorites like Donna Summer,
the Beegees, Earth, Wind and Fire and
many more will be played. There will
also be happy hour cocktails. There is no
cover charge. For more information, visit
greenlanterndc.com.
Nellies Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts a
drag brunch today with one show at 10:30
a.m. and another at 12:30 p.m. For more
information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.

Perrys (1811 Columbia Rd., N.W.) hosts
its weekly Sunday Drag Brunch today
from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $24.95
for an all-you-can-eat buet. For more
details, visit perrysadamsmorgan.com.
The D.C. Center hosts Bisexual
Community Voices: Recognizing People
of Color, a reading and discussion, at
Human Rights Campaign Equality Center
(1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.)from
6:30-8:30 p.m. There will be a reading
from the anthology Recognize: The
Voices of Bisexual Men. Following the
reading there will be a discussion. Light
refreshments will be served. For more
information, visit thedccenter.org.
MONDAY, MAY 4
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W..)
hosts coee drop-in hours this morning
from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT
community. Older LGBT adults can
come and enjoy complimentary coee
THURSDAY, MAY 7
Chez Billy (3815 Georgia Ave., N.W.)
hosts its May Petworth LGBT Happy Hour
tonight at 7 p.m. The back outdoor deck will
be reserved and there will be happy hour
specials served until 9:30 p.m. For more
information, visit chezbilly.com.
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.)
hosts a Spring Botox Party tonight from
6-8 p.m. Facial plastic surgeon Dr. Somenek
will perform Botox injections for $15 per
unit. Refreshments will be served. RSVP at
202-785-4187 or email questionscbarry@
ruplasticsurgery.com by May 5. For more
details, visit thedccenter.org.
Nellies Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.)
hosts its weekly Beat the Clock Happy
Hour tonight from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Drink
specials start at $2 and increase by a
dollar each hour. For more information,
visit nelliessportsbar.com.
SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) hosts
Womens Leadership Institute, a group
for LBT women and their straight allies
ages 13-21 to discuss female sexuality,
relationships and womens rights today
from 5-7 p.m. For more information, visit
smyal.org.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
BO OK S
M A Y 01, 2015 45
IMAGE COURTESY OF ST. MARTINS PRESS
Gay author writes

of alcoholism,
overbearing mother
TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER has been reading

since she was 3 years old.She lives in Wisconsin
with two dogs and 12,000 books. Reach her at
bookwormsez@yahoo.com.
Mother knows best.

Long before you were old enough to
complain, for instance, she knew when
you were uncomfortable or ailing and she
xed it. She told you to ignore detractors.
She helped you follow your heart. She
reminded you to take a sweater. Mom
always knew best except, as in the
new memoir Dangerous When Wet
by Jamie Brickhouse, when her counsel
could derail your life.
Jamie Brickhouse had no business
being a child.
Then again, he never was a child, really.
Starting at age 5 (an age his mother
wished she could freeze him, Peter-Panstyle), he was his Mama Jeans sounding
board, fashion advisor and cheering
squad. He recalls the fascination of seeing
her put on make-up; his days were spent
watching her sew and going to downtown
Beaumont, Texas, to shop and visit the
beauty parlor. He also dimly recalls his
rst drink at age 5.
Though his mother warned him that
others would never love him like she
did, his rst grade teacher came close.
Brickhouse adored that woman who
shared school gossip with him and
invited him into her home. Later, after
a playground friend became his rst
boyfriend, that same teacher warned

Brickhouse that the boy was a sissy.
By junior high, he realized that he
was, too, but since Mama Jean had had
a t when Brickhouses older gay brother
came out and had oered a psychiatrist
to Brickhouse if he was like that,
Brickhouse denied his sexuality.
Years later, he also denied his HIV status
to her, just like he denied his alcoholism.
From the time he was a toddler,
Brickhouse had had an obsession with sex.
His love of drink also came early and the
two intersected when he went to college.
Even after he found the love of his life, he
couldnt let go of either vice: many nights
after work as a book publicist, he drank until
he could barely function and often woke up
in the arms and homes of strangers.
His boyfriend knew what was going on.
Brickhouse hoped Mama Jean never would.
For some reason, Ive been awash in
mother-and-gay-son memoirs lately.
Dangerous When Wet is the newest one,
and only a little dierent from the others.
Dont get me wrong: this wasnt a bad
book, but it doesnt really stand out. Author
Jamie Brickhouse is a funny guy, but I
would say that charm is more prevalent
in this book than are laughs. That may
be, perhaps, because his thumb-sucking,
profane, force-to-be-reckoned-with Mama
Jean is ultimately like so many other moms:
an exasperating reason for eye-rolls to
their children, but adorable to others.
The small bit of humor lies with her
antics, at any rate. The alcoholism, the
black-outs, the promiscuity, not so much.
I do think this book is worth a try. I enjoyed
it enough, but if youre drowning in similar
memoirs, too, you could just as easily skip it.
Dangerous When Wet isnt the worst book
of this genre, but its not the best, either.
DANGEROUS WHEN WET: A MEMOIR
By Jamie Brickhouse
St. Martins Press
$25.99
288 pages
4 6 MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5
DHCDinvitesallresidents,businessowners,developersandhousingproviderstoattendtheSeventhAnnualDCHousingExpo!
Workshopsanddemoswillincludevaluablefinancial,rental,homeownershipandsmallbusinessinformation.
Visitwww.dhcd.dc.gov forupdatesandadditionalinformation.FREE giveaways!
ndhousingproviderstoattendtheSeventhAnnualDCHousingExpo!
cial,rental,homeownershipandsmallbusinessinformation.
Sponsoredby
sandadditionalinformation.FREE giveaways!
GovernmentoftheDistrictofColumbia,MurielE.Bowser,Mayor
Dept.ofHousingandCommunityDevelopment,PollyDonaldson,Director
GovernmentoftheDistrictofColumbia,MurielE.Bowser,Mayor
Dept.ofHousingandCommunityDevelopment,PollyDonaldson,Director
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
D I N ING
Everything you always

wanted to know about
the Mexican spirit
By KRISTEN HARTKE
With Cinco de Mayo just around the
corner and summer close behind, our
thoughts naturally turn to ... tequila.
Hailing from the hot sunshine of Mexico,
tequila seems synonymous with summer
fun, so its no wonder that we belly up to the
bar in search of margaritas as the mercury
climbs. Faced with shelves lled with what
seems like every tequila under the sun at
places like Oyamel in Penn Quarter or Agua
301 in Navy Yard, it can be intimidating
to know which kind of tequila should get
splashed into a cocktail shaker and which
needs to be sipped lovingly on its own. And
what the heck is mezcal anyway?
Made from the blue agave plant, all
tequila comes from Mexico, period.
Protected by law as a designation of origin
product much like French champagne
true tequila can only be manufactured
in and produced from agave grown in
specic regions of Mexico, centered
particularly around the city of Tequila.
The agaves from each region produce
very dierent tequilas, says Jasmine
Chae, beverage management director
for Jos Andrs ThinkFoodGroup. While
each tequila is distinct and unique,
highland tequilas tend to be brighter and
fruitier, Tequila Valley tequilas tend to be
earthier and more herbaceous.
When perusing tequilas, look rst for
100 percent agave; mixto tequila the
kind that you drank in college that gave
you The Worst Hangover Ever is only
required to be 51 percent agave with
sugars like glucose and fructose making
up the balance. If you want to avoid the
hangover, stick to 100 percent agave
tequila and sip, dont shoot.
Types of tequila and

how to drink them
Blanco or silver tequila is an unaged

or barely aged spirit whose bright avor
lends itself well to citrus or other fruitbased cocktails; some blancos can be
very smooth and fruity, while others can
have a vegetal bite. Youll want to stock
blanco in your home bar for everything
from classic margaritas to bloody marys
to tequila sunrises.
Reposado (rested) tequila has been
aged in oak barrels for two months up
to just under a year. With a pale golden
color, reposado is the perfect marriage
between blanco and aejo tequila,
sporting a smooth mellow quality with
bright accents. ThinkFoodGroups Jasmine
Chae notes that she likes to use reposado
M A Y 01, 2015 47
tequilas with bold spicy ingredients like

chiles or peppers.
Aejo is aged tequila that has rested in
oak barrels, often old bourbon barrels, from
one to three years. In the same way that
dierent grains can create subtleties in aged
whiskey, the base blanco tequila placed into
the barrel can do the same for the resulting
aejo. This is generally a sipping tequila, but
can also be a great substitute for whiskey or
bourbon in traditional cocktails like a Vieux
Carr or a Mint Julep.
Extra aejo is a relatively new category
of tequila established less than 10 years
ago, signifying a tequila that has been
aged at least three years in oak barrels
and sometimes blended with very old
vintage tequilas. A really ne extra aejo
is like a good brandy, the kind of tequila
meant to be enjoyed as a digestif after
a heavy meal or with dessert. These
tequilas can often have rich undertones
of chocolate, vanilla and tree fruits.
Committed to serving the

legal needs
of the entire community.
over
125
years
Founded1887
www.jackscamp.com
1120 Twentieth Street, N.W.
South Tower
Washington, DC 20036
And what about the mezcal?

Like tequila, mezcal is made from a
specic type of agave native to Mexico,
known as maguey, which is roasted
underground to give it a distinctive smoky
avor. Referring to its smoky, ery, spicy
allure, ThinkFoodGroups Chae says that
one way she helps introduce mezcal to the
uninitiated is by serving it as a sidecar to a
traditional margarita, adding a smokiness
that completely transforms the margarita.
Rockville, MD
Vienna, VA
Baltimore, MD
Stocking up for summer

Expensive does not always translate to
better in terms of tequila. A lot of excellent
tequila is priced pretty reasonably between
$25-40 a bottle; the best way to gure out
what you like is to taste dierent varieties
at a bar or local liquor store and see which
ones suit your palate. If youre feeling
adventurous, you can also look for blue
agave spirits, the American version of
tequila produced in small batches by a few
distillers around the country with agave
nectar imported directly from Mexico.
Simple Summer Margarita

2 ounces silver tequila
1 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon light agave syrup (or to
taste)
1 piece of fresh orange peel, about 2
inches long (optional)
Shake rst four ingredients well with
ice and strain into a chilled glass, then
twist the orange peel over the top and
drop into the drink. Serve immediately.
KRISTEN HARTKE is managing editor of Edible
DC and writes about cocktails at goodbooze.
wordpress.com. Her elf name is Twinkie.
Crab Cakes
with Jumbo
Lump Crab Meat
SIN G LE
13
.95
D O UB LE
19.95
MAY
www.clydes.com
AVAIL ABLE AT ALL CLYDES LO CATIONS,

OLD EBBIT T GRILL, THE TOMBS AND THE TOMATO PAL ACE
CLYDES-CRABCAKES-AD-WashBlade-2015-05.indd 1
4/29/15 11:20 AM
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
48 M A Y 01, 2015
Bello eschews societys

tidy little boxes
ALL SIGNS
POINT
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37
TO
SPRING
BLADE: How long were you ill?

BELLO: A few months. Actually when I
was quite sick and recovering and frail, I
think your body has a way of telling you
when its time to take a break or take a
breath. It was a real transforming time
in my life. I looked around my bedside
and saw who was there my mom, my
brother and Jack and Jacks dad and Clare
and many of my friends. Im so proud to
have so much love in my life.
LOCAL
Asparagus
Salad
$ .95
WHILE SUPPLIES
LAST
BLADE: Are you healthy now?

BELLO: I am. Except for the smoking
thing, which Im working on again. Its my
vice.
www.clydes.com
AVAIL ABLE AT ALL CLYDES LO CATIONS,

OLD EBBIT T GRILL, THE TOMBS AND THE TOMATO PAL ACE
CLYDES-ASPARAGUS-AD-WashBlade-2015-05.indd 1
A RT S & E N T E RT A I N ME N T
4/24/15 2:19 PM
Logan 14 saLon spa/med spa

haircuts, body waxing, laser hair removal
1314B 14th St. NW WDC 20005 202.506.6868 Logan14salonspa.com
BLADE: You say nobody should feel

judged or afraid because of a label. We
use labels all the time to decide where
to put things in a grocery store, to decide
what genre a lm or book is, to say if
someone is a blond or brunette even
when there are so many variations of
dierent things. Why have the labels
associated with sexuality gotten such a
bad rap?
BELLO: Because its not just about
sexual orientation, its about partnerships
and family and how traditional labels, you
know, seem to put people in these tidy
little boxes and those traditional labels
dont seem to be working anymore. In the
end, I always feel like call me whatever
you want, Ill label myself practically
anything to advance human rights and
that feels good for me, but I see these
poor kids ashamed and being blamed
for their sexuality or having partnerships
that are dierent. Its important to
claim the labels that make you feel your
authentic self.
BLADE: When you see the studies about
how monogamous people really are and
how many stay married their entire lives,
it does make you question whether these
societal expectations are realistic.
BELLO: In one of my chapters I write
about having an aair and talk about
this very issue. Its said that more than 50
percent of married people have admitted
having aairs. Men, women, conservative,
liberal, across the board. And yet we
just dont talk about it. We seem to just
wave our nger and say, OK, youre a
bad guy or bad girl if you had an aair,
but what we should really be talking is
the question of why this is happening
and the complications of sexuality. What
does it mean. There has to be a reason
these people in long-term, committed
relationships go outside the relationship

for something besides partnership.
BLADE: True, but dont we need some
sort of compartmentalization system in
the world for such matters if only to make
sense of all the thousands of people
we encounter? Wouldnt things get too
overwhelming if we shunned labels
altogether?
BELLO: Oh yes, we need some. My
point is that only use the ones you are
proud of and make you feel part of a
community. Identifying a movie or a
person by the way they look, thats really
simplistic. What were talking about are
bigger issues. Facebook added 51 new
gender options last year. Im at least 15 of
them. I think our lexicon needs to expand
to include all of those.
BLADE: You write about growing
up Roman Catholic. Do you have any
relationship with the church today?
BELLO: Im so excited about the new
pope, with his openness and his attention
to what really matters, which is love and
(addressing) poverty and peace. Im
happy to be part of this movement thats
happening in the church, even in the
church I go to in Santa Monica, more of
an acceptance and getting back to real
values and what its all about, which is
love.
BLADE: Has it been hard to take the
good and leave the dogma you dont
agree with behind?
BELLO: Its getting easier and easier as
I get older because Im doing that with
everything in my life. I guess part of it
is being middle aged and menopausal,
but Im excited about the question and I
hope the book will help people question
their own labels and look at the ones that
empower them and get rid of the ones
that disempower them.
BLADE: You were so good with Viggo
Mortensen in History of Violence. What
is he like as a fellow actor?
BELLO: Oh my god, such an incredibly
authentic and funny man. You would
never think the funny part, but hes
hysterical.
MARIA BELLO
In conversation with Daniel Jones (New York
Times)
Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
600 I St. N.W.
$17 (ticket
$30 (ticket and book)
$38 (two tickets, one book)
sixthandi.org
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 4 9
Stunning in Spring
5133 Heritage Lane

aLexandria, Va 22311
$529,900
5133heritage.mcenearney.com
6425 Cygnet driVe

$599,000
6425cygnet.mcenearney.com
207 West street

$735,000
207west.mcenearney.com
920 W. timber branCH ParkWay

$829,900
920timberbranch.mcenearney.com
310 W. myrtLe street

$924,900
310myrtle.mcenearney.com
9412 maCkLin Court

$1,049,999
9412macklin.mcenearney.com
4300 Fox HaVen Lane

$1,150,000
4300foxhaven.mcenearney.com
209 WiLkes street

$1,195,000
209wilkes.mcenearney.com
3500 HoLLy street

$1,249,000
3500holly.mcenearney.com
5 0 MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5
Global. national. Local.

OPEN SAT & SUN, 1-4PM
KENT
5260 Partridge Lane NW
6BR / 4BA $1,795,000
Elegant center hall Colonial. Perfect for entertaining. Upstairs

includes 5 BR / 3 BA. Downstairs features spacious family
room and private au pair suite. Two-car garage parking.
BO BILLUPS
202.431.4052
BRIAN SMITh
202.412.4668
BBILLUPS@CBMOVE.COM
FOR SALE DUPONT CIRCLE

1824 19th St. NW #D
2BR / 1.5BA $899,900
Price reduced! One of a kind! Extraordinary location! Bright

and beautiful 2BR w/ parking and balcony! Master Bath with
radiant floor heating! High ceilings, original hardwood floors,
extra attic storage! Meticulously maintained common front
garden.
JTPOWELL@CBMOVE.COM
WWW.JTPOWELL.COM
We are thrilled
to welcome back
gARRETT
COTTRELL
to Coldwell Banker
Dupont! Contact him
today for all your real
estate needs.
Sun-drenched colonial features a grand entrance, spacious

living and dining room, chefs kitchen, huge family room,
and large deck. Huge master suite, deep backyard with deck.
2-car garage and walking distance to Metro and MARC trains.
KERRY MULDOON
202.436.1268
gARRETT COTTRELL
202.618.3545
Garrett.cottrell@cbmove.com
KERRY.MULDOON@CBMOVE.COM
TIMOThY SAVOY
202.400.0534
TIMOThY.SAVOY@CBMOVE.COM
PRICE REDUCED!
DUPONT CIRCLE
JUST LISTED! LOgAN CIRCLE
2 parking spots in Dupont! Private garage structure and the other

is tandem outside of the garage. Large 1BR with bath jacuzzi
tub and separate shower. Washer/Dryer/Dishwasher Separate
dining room or use it as a den. Outdoor space.
Huge 2BR or 1/den condo. 1,328 square feet and more than
500 square feet of outdoor space composed of TWO patios. Open
floorplan, gas fireplace with remote, two person master shower,
many full size windows line the unit. Stainless steel & granite
kitchen. High ceilings. Open Sat 12-2, Sun 1-4.
WWW.EVANANDMARK.COM
This charming traditional home features expansive yard, off

street garage parking with driveway, updated kitchen and
baths, enclosed back yard and 1700+ sqft to call your own!
Open Sat 5/9 & Sun 5/10 1-4pm.
WWW.AERESIDENTIALgROUP.COM
eRiK.evanS@cBMove.coM
10007BrunswickAve.5BR/3.5BA$875,000
MARK RUTSTEIN &

EVAN JOhNSON
202.498.1198
5 Missouri Ave. NW
3BR / 2.5BA $565,000
eRiK LaRS evanS

202.731.3142
J.T. POWELL
202.465.2357
JUST LISTED! SILVER SPRINg
1767 P St. NW #1 1BR / 1BA $550,000
coMinG Soon!
FORT TOTTEN
1220 N St. NW #2
2BR / 2BA $650,000
MARK RUTSTEIN &

EVAN JOhNSON
202.498.1198
WWW.EVANANDMARK.COM
JUST LISTED!
ThE WEBSTER hOUSE
1718 P St NW #613 $265,000
457 SF, separate full kitchen, separate toilet and tub room
in master bath. Common roof deck with pool, $380 condo
fee includes all utilities, onsite garage parking for rent (when
available). Open Sun 1-4pm.
eRiK LaRS evanS
202.731.3142
WWW.AERESIDENTIALgROUP.COM
eRiK.evanS@cBMove.coM
COMINg SOON! U ST. CORRIDOR

2125 14th St. NW
2BR / 2BA $669,495
Stunning 2BR/2BA corner unit w/nearly 1,000 SF features

open living/dining spaces w/maple floors, a gourmet KIT,
spacious en suite master + guest BR, pkg and addl storage in
full service Union Row. Contact me for more details.
ChRISTOPhER BULKA
202.420.8919
ChRISTOPhER.BULKA@CBMOVE.COM
JUST LISTED!
OBSERVATORY CR/UPPER gTOWN
COMINg IN MAY!
OBSERVATORY CIRCLE
Nearly 5,000 square feet! Perfect home for entertaining!

Includes in-law suite/office, two-car garage pus two more
parking spaces (four in total), two blocks to Whole Foods
and rec center.
Stately brick center hall with classic layout, incredible garden

with Cathedral views, swimming pool, and two-car garage.
Large living room with fireplace.
2617 Wisconsin Ave. NW

5BR / 6.5BA $1,399,900
MIChAEL SChAEFFER
202.491.5910
MSChAEFFER@CBMOVE.COM
3503 Fulton St. NW

7BR / 4.5BA
FEODORA STANCIOFF
202.285.6659
feoDoRa@cBMove.coM
The most tools, the most technology, the most leads, the best working environment. Sound interesting?
Call me to discuss the advantages of Coldwell Banker. We offer more so our agents can do more for our clients.
Kevin McDuffie, GRi, ManaGinG BRoKeR
kmcduffie@cbmove.com cbmove.com
202.439.2435 (c) 1606 17th St. NW
202-387-6180
Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC
W A SH I NGTO N B LA D E.C OM
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 5 1
REALESTATE
Gardens for every space and taste

Try potted herbs for
a touch of green
By TIM SAVOY
When I walk around D.C., I often feel
that we live in a very green city. From
vast lawns on the National Mall to the seclusion of the far reaches of Rock Creek
Park, the city has great green public spaces. However, when I look inward to the
home, I nd that we are often challenged
by a lack of space.
No matter your style of home, you have
the ability to use your green thumb in a
variety of ways. To many, growing plants
is an essential to homeownership. Planting allows for creativity, a place to express
personality through life. Because we are
often forced to trade space for location,
planting a garden can seem like an insurmountable task. However, with a few city
living techniques, you can still utilize your
green thumb with little eort.
First, there are many ways to incorporate green space when living in the heart
of the city, even in conned spaces such
as condos. Outdoor space is a luxury
that many include when searching for a
home, but the idea of planning on a small
patio or balcony can seem impossible. If
this is the case, think of expanding your
search to include buildings that incorporate a green roof or amenities that allow
the owner to use planters boxes o of
the balcony. One can easily manage to
plant small owers and maybe even a

vegetable or two within a conned space.
The key to such planting is planning and
an open imagination. After all, you dont
have to have many acres to grow something beautiful. Even if it is just a plant or
two in your garden, creating something
in your home is a great way to spur the
imagination.
Additionally, some of the best space in
the home to grow a garden only requires
sunlight. In your home, planting can be as
easy as a few pots and seeds to create an
herb garden in the kitchen. Herbs such as
basil, sage, oregano, and more can be low
maintenance, DIY projects that give your
living space a little extra charm. After just
a few moments and minimal eort, this
small, colorful garden can easily rest and
grow on your windowsill.
For the planter who wants low maintenance for larger plants, think of planting
greenery such as a ddle leaf g or peace
lily, both of which require little attention,
water and sunlight. Also, smaller items
like terrariums can give a good visual effect to many spaces in the home, and are
easy to maintain. Think of plants as nishes in your home; like a tasteful accent
pillow or throw rug, your planting can say
a lot about your personal style.
Finally, sometimes living in the city can
place too much of a constraint on your
gardening ambitions. For needs outside
the house, it may be time to look toward a community garden. The District is
home to dozens of community gardens,
D.C. has many green spaces, including the National Mall.
from the Districts Department of Parks

and Recreation-sponsored parks (online
at dpr.dc.gov/page/dpr-community-gardens) to private parks that sponsor some
garden space. For many, community gardens provide an opportunity to interact
with the community while also allowing
ambition to grow plants you otherwise
wouldnt within the city.
To be clear, the return on investment
for a garden can be hard to determine.
Often times, small green spaces provide a
sentimental value to the owner. The rate
of return on a small section of greenery

or a couple pots of herbs can be hard
to quantify, but often times, this value
is irreplaceable, and truly sets the home
apart from others. In a city as beautiful
yet transient as Washington, having a
small garden or plant can provide just the
right slice of home.
DAVE LLOYD & ASSOCIATES
SIMPLE
AFFORDABLE
PROVEN RESULTS
TIM SAVOY is a real estate agent with Coldwell

Banker Residential Brokerage, Dupont Circle.
Reach him at 202-400-0534 or timothy.savoy@
cbmove.com.
Sid Binks, PhD, ABPP-CN

Board Certified in Clinical Neuropsychology
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Individual & Couples Therapy

for the LGBTQ Community
20 years experience!
3000 Connecticut Ave. NW 202.255.5187 SidBinks@aol.com
LGBTC.com/html/sid_binks.html
Top 1% Nationwide
NVAR Life Member Top Producder
703-593-3204
WWW.DAVELLOYD.NET
ENTHUSIASTICALLY
SERVING DC & VIRGINIA
CALL TODAY TOPLACE YOUR AD
202.747.2077
W A S HIN G T ON B L A DE .C O M
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 5 2
REALESTATE
Measuring success
in real estate
Is it days on market or
total price paid?
By LEYLA PHELAN
If you Google fair deal in real estate,
what pops up are links to vacation properties in Trinidad and Tobago. Now, Im
not looking for a vacation property right
now and Im pretty sure that if I was, my
partner wouldnt let me buy in Trinidad or
Tobago, not that there is anything wrong
with that.
I am a real estate agent in DC/MD/VA
working as a buyers agent for one of the
nicest couples that youd ever hope to
meet.To me, as a buyers agent, this couple, lets call them Sally and Harry, are the
perfect clients: solid employment history,
good income, healthy savings, intelligent,
thoughtful and humorous. Sally and
Harry have realistic expectations and understand that buying renovated homes
in D.C.s most popular neighborhoods
would be expensive and they would have
to act quickly.
Over the past month, after submitting
three or four VERY strong oers, with
strong escalation clauses, no contingencies, and having completed pre-oer inspections, they have yet to land the winning bid.
A home inspection for the size home
they are seeking costs between $600-700.
To date, none of the inspections yielded
any aws in the home that either were
not disclosed by the seller or would have
stopped Sally and Harry from moving forward. Did I mention that Sally and Harry
are intelligent and understand that no
home is perfect?Realistic expectations.
Frustrated, Sally and Harry no longer
want to spend the money for an inspection prior to submitting an oer on a
house. So last week, we submitted an offer on a charming house that received a
total of three oers. We included a twoday home inspection contingency without the ability to void the contract, escalated in $10,000 increments above the
next highest oer and had no nancing
or appraisal contingencies. Truly a strong
oer and a great deal for both sides.
Guess what?Sally and Harry didnt get
the house. The sellers decided that the
risk of a home inspection exceeded the
value of an additional $10,000.
Now I am asking myself when did we
get into such a rush that a successful
real estate transaction is measured in
When did we get into such a rush that

a successful real estate transaction is
measured in terms of number of days on the
market?
terms of time, number of days on the

market, instead of a net dollar amount
for the seller and a well informed and
happy buyer? Sally and Harry were happy
to pay a premium of $10,000 to have a
home inspection and negotiate in good
faith. They did not have the right to void
the contract.The house appeared sound
and the sellers disclosures indicated that
it was well maintained. I am pretty sure
the sellers could use $10,000. So why
the rush? Is the speed of a transaction
the best metric to evaluate a successful
transaction? Is a successful sale really
measured more by the days on market
versus the net proceeds to the seller?
I believe as agents we can remove the
emotion and stress from a very personal
transaction and help buyers and sellers,
through negotiation, reach an equitable
deal.A win-win.But a win-win can often take
a bit of time, eort and nuanced thinking.
What does $10,000 mean? You can buy
a used car, replace 15 windows in your
house, shop for a family of 4 for at Whole
Foods for a month (just kidding), you can
spend a month at Club Med in Cancun
with your family, you can take a cruise
with your partner and have change left
over. Ten grand is a whole lot of money.
So again, the question is why arent
agents working harder to make it work
for everyone? An increase in $10,000 in
sales price to the listing agents commission is $250 or $300, perhaps not enough
to make the eort? The bottom-line?
Buyers and sellers should take another
look at the current home selling model
and give it some serious thought. There
may be a lot of money at stake. Their
money. Have your agents work for you
and negotiate a thoughtful, nuanced and
protable transaction that creates a winwin feeling for both parties.
LEYLA PHELAN is with the Denny & Leyla Team
at Evers & Co Real Estate, Inc., 202-415-3845 or
Leyla@DLTRealtors.com.
DEADLINES
SHARE ADS ARE FREE
All Classified Ads

- Including Regular & Adult Must Be Received
By Mondays at 5PM
So They Can Be Included
in That Weeks Edition of
Washington Blade and
washingtonblade.com
Place your housing to sharead online at

washingtonblade.com
and the ad prints free in the paper and online.*
*25 words or less prints free - anything more is $1/word.
W A SH I NGTO N B LA DE.C OM
SHARE ADS
ARE FREE
Place your
housing to share
ad online at
washingtonblade.com
and the ad prints free in
the paper and online.*
*25 words or less prints free - anything more is $1/word.
MASSAGE / CERTIFIED
START FRESH - UPGRADE yourself
before upgrading your phone! My
deep tissue massage will help you
feel like a new person! Stretching,
Swedish & Sports massage. Dupont.
Marcio (202) 271-9440. www.
MarciosMassage.com.
BEST MASSAGE by male certified
therapist. Soothing Swedish; deep-tissue;
stress & pain release. Safe Atmosphere
in Annandale, VA, almost right off I-395.
Days/Eve/Wkend. In/Out calls. Hotels
welcome. Call Marval (703) 568-6348.\
REFRESH & RELAX IN

ROSSLYN. Certified
massage therapist
available. Call or text
Gary w/ your name at
301-704-1158 or visit
www.mymassagebygary.com.
MASSAGE / CERTIFIED
EMPLOYMENT
LOCKER ROOM ATTENDANTS
NEEDED! The Crew Club, a gay mens
naturist gym & sauna, is now hiring
Locker Room Attendants. We all
scrub toilets & do heavy cleaning. You
must be physically able to handle the
work & have a great attitude doing
it. No drunks/druggies need apply.
Please call Richard at (202) 319-1333.
from 9-5pm, to schedule an interview.
PHOTOGRAPHY
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 5 3
HEATING / COOLING
STEVE OTOOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Fine Art Photographer for portraits,
weddings & dating photos for the
internet. Call (703) 532-3031. www.
steveotoolephotography.com.
PETS
COUNSELING
CHANGES ARE EASIER WITH
HELP. Small, private practice
group of experienced, caring
therapists.Safe, confidential
setting. Offices in Woodley Park &
Takoma Park near Metro.Licensed
professionals.Insurance
reimbursable.Washington
Therapy Guild. Call 202-483-2660.
washingtontherapyguild.com.
LGBTQ AFFIRMING THERAPY at
Dupont Circle Individuals, couples,
families, adolescents. Over 15
years serving the community. Mike
Giordano, LICSW. 202/460-6384
mike.giordano.msw@gmail.com.
www.WhatIHearYouSaying.com.
COUNSELING FOR GAY MEN.
Individual/couple counseling w/
volunteer peer counselor. Gay Mens
Counseling Community since 1973.
202-580-8861. gaymenscounseling.
org. No fees, donation requested.
LEGAL SERVICES
FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM
Representing the GLBT community
for over 30 years. Family adoptions,
estate planning, immigration,
employment. (301) 891-2200.Silber,
Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, P.A. www.
SP-Law. com.
PAINTERS
FINESSE INTERIOR/
EXTERIOR PAINTING.
Chalkboard & Dry Erase
paint. Wood Staining.
Plaster Repairs. Pressure
Cleaning. Free Estimates.
Elmer 240-462-3760.
CLEANING
FERNANDOS CLEANING: Residential
& Commercial Cleaning, Reasonable
Rates, Free Estimates, Routine,
1-Time, Move-In/Move-Out. (202)
234-7050, 202-486-6183.
TOO NEAT GUYS INC. Residential
& Commercial cleaning in DC
& Northern VA. Over 20 years
experience, gay owned, licensed,
bonded & insured. Email: tooneat@
comcast.net, (703) 622-5983.
MAID TO CLEAN. Gay owned. Serving
DC/VA since 1996. We provide 1x,
move/in, move/out, recurring service.
We love pets & your dirt! (703)2990101. Visit us at maidtoclean.com.
HANDYMAN /
IMPROVEMENTS
TREE SERVICE
BRANCHES - FULL SERVICE Tree
Expert Company. Certified Arborists,
pruning, insect & disease diagnosis,
treatment & removal. 301-589-6181.
www.BranchesTreeExperts.com.
Angies List Award Winner 09, 10,
11, 12.
MOVERS
OUR GUYS AROUND TOWN
MOVERS. Professional Moving &
Storage. Let Our Guys Do The
Heavy Lifting. Mention the Blade
for 10% off of our regular rates.
Call today 202.734.3080. www.
ourguysatmovers.com.
SHARE / DC
ADOPTION & ASSISTED

REPRODUCTIVE Law Attorney Jennifer
Fairfax represents clients in Maryland
& D.C. interested in adoption or ART
matters.301-221-9651,JFairfax@
jenniferfairfax.com.
BRITISH REMODELING HANDYMAN

Local licensed company with over 25
years of experience. Specializing in
bathrooms, kitchens & all interior/
exterior repairs. Drywall, paint,
electric & wallpaper. Trevor 703-3038699.
CAPITOL HILL furnished or

unfurnished rooms for rent in well
appointed townhome. 2 1/2 blocks
from Eastern Market Metro. Finished
single BR for $795+utilities. Also a
huge 18 x 30 unfurnished room with
southern exposure $1095.+ utilities.
Available immediately. Call Dr. Wes
202-544-5688.
LIMOUSINES / DRIVERS
HEATING / AC
SHARE / DE
KASPERS LIVERY SERVICE BMW 740LI

Luxury Sedan Service; Hourly, Point
to Point & Special Airport Transfer
Rates! Gay & Veteran Owned! http://
www.KasperLivery.com Phone 202554-2471 or 800-455-2471.
$1,700 SPRING REBATE, get up to a

$1,700 rebate on a qualifying new
Lennox heating and cooling system
from Magnolia Plumbing, Heating &
Cooling. Call 202-829-8510 today.
www.magnoliaplumbing.com.
Rehoboth Summer Shares Full &

half shares available. Victoria Square
Townhomes, east of Rt1. Walk to
town and the beach. Contact Pete
609-425-7849. Pete.komar@comcast.
net.
REHOBOTH SEASONAL ROOM

Summer Rental---reasonable rate
in a quiet setting, close proximity to
beach, downtown & outlets. Inquire
by email rbflamingo@comcast.net.
SHARE / MD
National Harbor Latino in Oxon Hill
Room in basment for a professional
person Wi-FI, cable ready, all utilities
included & share bathroom and
kitchen. $200 deposit 703-599-9377
Basement - Walk to Rockville Metro
Furnished or unfurnished basement
in single family home. Private
entrance, private full bathroom, ww
carpet, kitchenette (no stove/oven), 1
parking space. All utilities included +
wifi + cable. $800 monthly + 1 month
security deposit. Background check.
Text me at 240 603 9870.
SHARE / VA
WOODBRIDGE,MBR single-family
home between Quantico & Ft. Belvoir.
Beautifully renov. walk-out bsmt. BR
w/ priv. full bath. Singles only. $900/
month. 703-798-3955.
PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
DEADLINES
ENHANCE YOUR AD WITH OUR UPGRADES

PICTURES
BOLD TEXT
LARGE TEXT
COLOR
AND MORE
CONTACT US AT 202-747-2077
All Classified Ads

- Including Regular & Adult Must Be Received
By Mondays at 5PM
So They Can Be Included
in That Weeks Edition of
Washington Blade and
washingtonblade.com
5 4 ma y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5
W ASH I N G T O N BL A D E . COM
KOOL KALORAMA
KONDO!
Muy Macho Mancave! 1BR/2 Lvl Condo

with Perfect Media Room (Games,
Sports, Old Movies), Granite Kitchen!
Bedroom has Custom Closets, Tiled
Bath, Stacked W/D, Pet Friendly, Call to
See! 1843 Mintwood, NW Unit #102
- $339K. Aaron & John Smith BHHS
PenFed Realty, (202) 608-1882, x107.
SALE / MD
MONTGOMERY VILLAGE
TOWNHOMES - REQUEST
ONLINE PHOTOS!
-$256,995 - 3 Level! 3
Bedrooms! 2 - 1/2 Baths!
Huge Basement Family
Room!
PLACE YOUR FREE AD ONLINE

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM/CLASSIFIEDS
REAL ESTATE AGENTS
HOME BUYER BONUS! Top LGBT

Realtors Represent Buyers FREE!
Plus up to $2,500 Cash Back at
Closing. www.GayRealEstate.com or
1.888.420.MOVE (6683).
RENT / VA
FALLS CHURCH, TOWNHOUSE
Secluded tranquil enclave of elegant
townhomes within walking distance
of the WEST FC MTRO, 4 BEDRM,
Renovated with a Moroccan flair. No
Pets or smokers. 703 528 6635.
SALE / DC
LOVELY SUN FILLED CONDO in SE

Top floor, private balcony, stainless
steel appliances, hardwood floors
throughout, crown molding, free
laundry for tenants, well maintained
and move in ready! $1,100. shonda@
entrusteddevelopment.com
Sparkling wood floors !

-$349,995 - Garage! 3 BRs!
2 - 1/2 Baths! Terrific
Basement Family Room!
-FOR RENT Only $1500
3-Level Townhome,3
Bedrooms, 2 1/2 Baths!
LARRY PERRIN REALTOR
(301) 983-0601
LJPerrin@aol.com.
WOMENS PERSONALS
GWF, SOFT BUTCH, attractive, blue
eyes, brown hair. I walk three miles
every day. I like movies, music,
playing cards, tv and pizza. ISO GWF
attractive, feminine, for friendship and
a long term relationship. If you are
interested, call Debbie 703-368-3618.
REAL ESTATE/
COMMERCIAL
RENT / DC
*$147,900 - 2 Spectacular
Levels! 2 Bedrooms! 2
1/2 Bathrooms !
Gorgeous Logan Circle Condo

Beautiful 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo
located in boutique building near
Logan Circle and Verizon Center.
Fabulous private elevator! Great
layout with split bedrooms for
privacy, gourmet kitchen by Bulthaup
with Subzero fridge and Miele
appliances (including fantastic built-in
steam oven). Other amenities include
balcony, steam shower, jetted tub,
walk-in closet and hardwood floors
throughout. A must see! Contract
fell thru. Back on the market!
Ann Worley, Realtor McEnearney
Associates 703-738-9593
PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
MENS PERSONALS
VERY PRIVATE BLACK Male Top seeks
very private middle eastern bottom
for memorable encounters. Please
call 202-230-2762.
ENHANCE YOUR
AD WITH OUR
UPGRADES
PICTURES
BOLD TEXT
LARGE TEXT
COLOR
AND MORE
CONTACT US AT
202-747-2077
Custom bodywork! Quality massage

LATIN BOTTOM attractive, HIV neg.,
50 years old, 170 lbs, 510, looking
by a nationally certified masseur.

Exceptional deep tissue & sensual
for 35 - 57 men. HIV Neg. handsome,
bodywork for total stress relief in
masculine, top, well endowed,
private studio. 4 Hand Massage
friendship & relationship. Call 301-
Available. Parking available, 2.5 blocks
646-4275. Leave a msg please.
BODYWORK
SWEDISH/DEEP
TISSUE/SENSUAL
Massage - relaxed environment by
CMT, 59, 165lbs. NEW TABLE. David

(202)-42one-8900. dcack@hotmail.
com. Cleveland Park metro.
EROTIC SWEDISH MASSAGE - healthy
to Metro on the Hill. Call Erik 202544-7905. No texts. In calls only. Intro
Special $99.00 Reg. $130.
SPECIAL LATINO
TOUCH
5 9, 170 lbs, Offering full body
relaxing, release on my professional
table, in a private atmosphere. In/out.
Parking Available, hotels welcome,
clean cut guy, 61, 160 lbs, Dupont
DC/MD/VA, 24/7. Call Lucas, 240-462-
Circle, massage table, noon to 1:00
8669, fromlucas@yahoo.com.
a.m., indulge your body. $70 for 1

hour. Bill 202-728-0238. No text
messages.
THE MAGIC TOUCH: Swedish,
Massage or Deep Tissue. Appts 202486-6183, Low Rates, 24/7, In-Calls.
ESCORTS
Never hired before? Get tips for
a good experience here: http://
beforeyoucome.blogspot.com
AFFORDABLE MASSAGE by friendly

& intuitive Latin male, in relaxing,
The Blacklist Site Real Recourse
priv. studio just 15 min from DC
for Male Escorts & Masseurs.
inArlington. Plenty of Parking.Same

day appts, 703-401-9093 or
a2006mx@yahoo.com.
(Now a National service) http://

BlackListedJohn.com.
MA Y 0 1 , 2 0 1 5 5 5
WARNING
HOT GUYS!
2013 winner
american graphic design award
for publication design
(official capital pride guide)
Washington
2014 winner
american graphic design award
for publication design
(runwashington magazine)
202.822.1666
Arlington
703.373.1000
Baltimore
410.468.4000
A D V E RT I S I N G
PROOF #2
REVISIONS
REDESIGN
TEXT REVISIONS
FREE
listen & reply to ads!
NOto
REVISIONS
FREE CODE: W Blade

For other local numbers call:
1-888-MegaMates
TM
24/7 Friendly Customer Care 1(888) 634.2628 18+

2014 PC LLC www.MegaMatesMen.com 2297
P R O O F
SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS bpitts@washblade.com

REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof.
Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date
of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia
llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible
for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through
the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or any rgihts of third
parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent,
trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair competition,
defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right
of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) and
to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all liability, loss, damages,
claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred by brown naff pitts
omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertisers breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties.

Volume 46, Issue 18, May 1, 2015

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Volume 46, Issue 18, May 1, 2015

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MAY

A great day for equality

WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

DONT LABEL HER

LGBT activists respond

Wealthy gay hoteliers

Actress Maria Bello

DC Families for DC Kids

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

Shine the light. Design the light.

Shine the light. Design the light.

on any of the following purchases:

PIROUETTE WINDOW SHADINGS

PIROUETTE WINDOW SHADINGS

4 Duette Honeycomb Shades

1 Skyline Gliding Window Panels

(plus $25 rebate

May 5 June 30, 2015

2 Pirouette Window Shadings

(plus $50 rebate each additional unit)

1 Luminette Privacy Sheer

May 5 June 30, 2015

May 5 June 30, 2015

Follow Us At Facebook or Twitter

Baltimore at a crossroads after riots

the memory of Freddie Gray. The thugs

accurately interpret systemic oppression,

to be CONSISTENTLY unjustly murdered

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

LASt WEEKEND to SAVE

washington, dc | tysons ii galleria | mgbwhome.com

GLAA celebrates 44th anniversary

D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine,

Willard Hotel bias case set for public hearing

Todd wins Ward 4 seat;

By LOU CHIBBARO JR.

political observers, Marion Christopher

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

Blade staffers escort Laverne Cox

Housemate charged in murder of Va. lesbian

Anti-gay activists target D.C. church

W.Va. gay couple attends prom

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

Ask your doctor if a medicine made by Gilead is right for you.

HIV, you didnt take

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

Get in care. Stay in care. Live well.

12 MAY 01, 2015

N.D. lawmaker outed on Grindr

Groups challenge Va. school proposal

Anti-trans measure dies in Florida

Gay hoteliers apologize for

the Blue Whale and other commercial

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

Ten years in the military taught Damion

Prime Time reALTOr

just steps to the metro!

Ill find the home that Suits your

Associate Broker, GRI

dave lloYd & assoCiates

4701 Old Dominion Drive Arlington, VA 22207

14 MAY 01, 2015

Historic week as Supreme Court hears marriage cases