Washingtonblade.com, Volume 52, Issue 47, November 19, 2021

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VOLUME 52 ISSUE 47 ADDRESS PO Box 53352 Washington DC 20009 PHONE 202-747-2077 E-MAIL news@washblade.com INTERNET washingtonblade.com PUBLISHED BY Brown Naff Pitts Omnimedia, Inc. PUBLISHER LYNNE J. BROWN lbrown@washblade.com ext. 8075 EDITORIAL EDITOR KEVIN NAFF knaff@washblade.com ext. 8088 SR. NEWS REPORTER LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com ext. 8079 NEWS REPORTER CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com ext. 8083 REPORTER & INTERNATIONAL NEWS EDITOR MICHAEL K. LAVERS mlavers@washblade.com POP CULTURE REPORTER JOHN PAUL KING PHOTO EDITOR MICHAEL KEY mkey@washblade.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS TINASHE CHINGARANDE, DUNIA ORELLANA, REPORTAR SIN MIEDO, PARKER PURIFOY, PETER ROSENSTEIN, MARK LEE, LATEEFAH WILLIAMS, KATE CLINTON, KATHI WOLFE, ERNESTO VALLE, YARIEL VALDÉS GONZÁLEZ, LYNARE ROBBINS, RACHAEL ESPINET, PHILIP VAN SLOOTEN, KATLEGO K. KOLANYANE-KESUPILE, VICTOR MAUNG, KAELA ROEDER, TREMENDA NOTA, ALBERTO J. VALENTÍN, MAYKEL GONZÁLEZ VIVERO, ORGULLO LGBT. CO CREATIVE DESIGN/PRODUCTION AZERCREATIVE.COM SALES & ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING STEPHEN RUTGERS srutgers@washblade.com ext. 8077 SR. ACCT. EXECUTIVE BRIAN PITTS bpitts@washblade.com ext. 8089 ACCT. EXECUTIVE JOE HICKLING jhickling@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 ext. 8075. Distributed by MediaPoint, LLC

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Comings & Goings

Congratulations also to Ted Miller who has joined the D.C. Board of Trustees of the Point

O’Connor promoted at Glenmede Trust

By PETER ROSENSTEIN

The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at: comingsandgoings@washblade.com.

Congratulations to Tyler O’Connor on his promotion to Vice President and Relationship Manager (Wealth Advisory) at The Glenmede Trust Company N.A. Glenmede was founded in 1956 to manage the funds of the PEW Charitable Trust. They formally launched a dedicated Sustainable & Impact Investing group in 2014 to develop personalized portfolios built for a transforming world. and their families intimately, and having a clear understanding of their unique goals and legacy, and philanthropic aspirations.”

O’Connor has been with Glenmede since 2015. Prior to that he was with Morgan Private Bank as a Senior Analyst Ultra-High Net Worth Mid-Atlantic Team. O’Connor has a number Trust and Estate Planning Council.

board, he said, “As someone who to get through college, joining the DC Board of Trustees for the Point the family and friends who made my journey possible. I look forward TYLER O’CONNER

TED MILLER

the lives of LGBTQ students and inviting even more members of our community to support its mission.”

Miller is currently Senior Vice President, Development & External Affairs with the Cancer Support Community in D.C. Prior to that he was Chief of External Affairs, Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) – AmeriCorps, appointed by President Obama.

He has worked for NARAL Pro-Choice America as Director of Communications & Digital

Miller earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from theWilliam Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications, University of Kansas.

Business.

D.C. loses bid for 2025 World Pride to Taiwan InterPride, the coalition of LGBTQ Pride organizations from throughout the world, announced Saturday that it has selected the group Kaohsiung Pride in Taiwan over D.C.’s Capital Pride Alliance to host World Pride 2025.

Kaohsiung Pride and Capital Pride Alliance represented the only two cities that submitted bids to host the international Pride event, which draws thousands of worldwide visitors to the host city.

“With this monumental vote by InterPride members, a World statement released by InterPride. “The members of InterPride voted on the host of World Pride 2025 over four days during the 2021 General Meeting and World Conference,” the statement says.

“More than 300 member organizations worldwide participated in the voting process, workshops, plenary sessions, regional and board meetings during the 8-day virtual event,” the statement notes.

In an announcement on Sept. 21 that it had submitted a bid to host World Pride 2025, Capital Pride Alliance said the event, among other things, would commemorate the

formerly known as Brother Help Thyself that has raised more than $3.5 million for more than

has decided to dissolve the organization.

“It is with great sadness that, after 43 years of Building Helping Transforming our surrounding communities, the board of directors of the

“This decision was not reached lightly,” the board’s statement says. “When Brother, Help

which began as a block party near Dupont Circle.

“The Capital Pride Alliance congratulates Kaohsiung Pride on being awarded the opportunity to produce World Pride 2025,” said Capital Pride Alliance Executive Director Ryan Bos in a statement released by InterPride.

“We extend to them our heartfelt best wishes for a successful event,” Bos said. “Capital Pride will use the next three years to continue with our long-standing plans to commemorate the he said in the statement.

The decision to select Taiwan over D.C. for World Pride lost their respective bids to host the 2022 Gay Games, the

The 2019 World Pride Parade in New York. InterPride, the organization that organizes the event, on Nov. 13, announced World Pride 2025 will take place in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

(Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

event would be held in Asia.

Gay Games organizers in Hong Kong have since announced they have postponed the event for one year, to November 2023, due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hong Kong organizers last week said plans for the event

were moving forward with support from corporate sponsors and LGBTQ groups despite a crackdown by China against human rights activists in Hong Kong over the past two years that has drawn international condemnation by human rights advocates.

LOU CHIBBARO JR.

McIntosh to retire from Md. House of Delegates in 2022 U.S. to provide funding for LGBTQ/SGL health, culture and social services. Throughout the AIDS crisis, BHT helped to leverage critical funding, at a time when it was severely lacking in other areas,” the statement says.

“Today we have come to the determination that it is no longer needed in the same way,” the statement continues.

It adds that the board is currently in the process and Baltimore regions.

LOU CHIBBARO JR.

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Maryland state Del. Maggie McIntosh (D-Baltimore City) on Sunday said she will not seek re-election in 2022.

“At the end of this term, I will have served 30 years and been successfully elected seven times to the Maryland House of Delegates,” McIntosh

get my full attention.”

McIntosh has been a member of the Maryland House of Delegates since 1992.

The Baltimore City Democrat is one of the openly LGBTQ members of the Maryland General Assembly.

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Too soon to decide on candidate for D.C. mayor: activists Bowser, two Council challengers considered strong LGBTQ supporters

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com

Mayor MURIEL BOWSER announced her intent to run for re-election last week.

Several D.C. LGBTQ activists this week said they believe it is too soon for the city’s LGBTQ community to make a decision on whom to support for mayor in the 2022 mayoral election, especially since the three well-known Democratic candidates for mayor are longtime LGBTQ allies.

Most but not all the local activists contacted by the Washington Blade in an informal survey who called for holding off on deciding on whom to back for mayor expressed those views one week

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

June 21, 2022, Democratic primary.

The mayor’s announcement came about a month after D.C. Council member Robert White (D-At-Large) and Council member Trayon White (D-Ward 8) announced they would run for mayor in the Democratic primary.

With the overwhelming majority of D.C. voters registered as Democrats, the winner of the Democratic primary for mayor has always won the November general election since the city’s home rule elected government took effect in the 1970s. greater than $100 from individual donors in a citywide election.

“ was currently backing one of the mayoral candidates.

Stonewall Democrats, D.C.’s largest local LGBTQ political group. He also serves as “People are going to have to listen to the candidates and look at their records and “I think the mayor has a good record and Robert White is certainly a friend of our community,” he said. “And Trayon White has also made great strides in understanding our issues.” supportive local city government with far reaching LGBTQ rights legislation in place means that LGBTQ voters will turn to other issues on which to base their support for a mayoral candidate. “ “We have to to healthcare – those are important to everyone whether you’re LGBTQ or not,” he said.

“And I think that our rights as LGBTQ Washingtonians are pretty enshrined in legislation.

And I don’t think that’s an issue.” series of candidate forums in the spring of 2022, including a mayoral candidate forum, in which candidates will be invited to discuss issues of concern to the LGBTQ community.

The forums are part of the organization’s process for endorsing candidates for mayor, prior to the June 21` Democratic primary.

Lesbian activist Barbara Helmick, who serves as director of programs for the D.C. statehood advocacy group called D.C. Vote, said she agrees it’s too soon for D.C. residents to decide on a mayoral candidate. But Helmick said D.C. statehood should be at the top of the list of issues of concern for the LGBTQ community in the mayoral election.

“We as a vulnerable community will be particularly vulnerable to conservative movements that have a lot of power in this country right now,” Helmick said. “And our best protection against that is having self-government, to be able to elect representatives who will speak for us in Congress,” she said. “We need senators. We need a voting member of the House for whatever conservatives may be coming up with.”

Helmick was referring to past instances where Congress used its authority to overturn or block D.C. laws, which she said could happen again if conservative Republicans regain control of Congress in the 2022 midterm elections. She said the city’s LGBTQ rights protections could be in jeopardy by a hostile Congress.

While noting that Bowser and Robert and Trayon White have been advocates for D.C. statehood, Helmick said the mere expression of support is not enough. “What are each of them going to do?” she said.

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provides housing services for homeless LGBTQ youth, said that while her organization positions on issues that impact LGBTQ youth.

“We’ll be involved in the process because our next mayor or our existing mayor really and in their programming process,” Crenshaw said. based LGBTQ community services center and small business, said the organization has not endorsed candidates in the past but it would consider the possibility of doing so.

However, he said choosing between the three main Democratic mayoral candidates “All of them have supported Check It,” he said. “Robert White introduced legislation to help us get our building,” Moten said. “The mayor has helped us get grants to do the things we are doing. And Trayon White has always supported everything that we’ve done.”

Gay Democratic activist John Klenert, who is among those calling for waiting a few months before deciding on which mayoral candidate to support, said LGBTQ voters “Let’s catch our breath and take a look,” said Klenert, who agrees that the three main Democratic mayoral candidates have good records on LGBTQ issues. “Let’s see,” he said.

“The past is one thing. What are they promising for the future, not only for our community but for the city in general?” support for a D.C. mayoral candidate at this time.

Rick Rosendall, former president of the D.C. Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance, “Robert White is thoughtful, decent, progressive and experienced, and has shown a willingness to take on controversial issues, as when he co-sponsored sex work decriminalization favored by at-risk members of our community and those of us who support them,” Rosendall told the Blade in a statement. Rosendall noted that Robert White received a +10 GLAA candidate rating, the highest possible rating, when he ran for reelection to his Council seat in 2020.

Neighborhood Commission, said he is backing Mayor Bowser’s reelection campaign on grounds that she has served the city “ “I believe the mayor and her administration’s response to the pandemic was exceptional, because if the mayor and her administration didn’t do what they did when “And I also think that carving out a space regarding racial justice and social justice with Black Lives Matter Plaza said. “And she took on Donald Trump when we needed somebody to speak up for the residents of the District of Columbia,” he said. a change right now.”

“I’m not sure we need to make

endorse political candidates. But Lee said individual members of the DCNC, including representatives of LGBT bars and other LGBT venues, are “overwhelmingly supportive” of the reelection of Mayor Bowser and D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large).

“Both Mayor Bowser and Phil Mendelson appreciate the massive economic contribution that nightlife provides to the District’s economy and understand the challenges local establishments face as we emerge from the pandemic period,” Lee said. “Both Bowser and Mendelson continue to support our city’s largest hometown independent small business sector and nightlife operators are eager to return that support,” he said.

June – James Butler, a former Ward 5 ANC commissioner and unsuccessful 2018 mayoral candidate; and community activist Michael Campbell.

Democrats—community activist Rodney “Red” Grant is running as an independent; community activist Barbara Summers is also running as an independent; and Corren Brown is running as a Statehood Green Party candidate.

Their positions on LGBTQ issues couldn’t immediately be determined.

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By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com Lisa Wentzel, an out lesbian, shared her life with her partner of 30 years, Judith Kahn, at the couple’s home in Illinois until Kahn died in 2013 of colon cancer.

As is the case with some same-sex couples who never married, Kahn’s family took legal possession of the couple’s home several years later, forcing Wentzel, who suffered from severe arthritis, to move into the Glen St. Andrew Living Community, a retirement and assisted living facility in Niles, Ill. litigation group Lambda Legal, when word got out that Wentzel was a lesbian after she disclosed her sexual orientation to a fellow resident, she was called homophobic slurs, spat on, and assaulted which later resulted in a court ruling in Wenzel’s favor, charged that

The Ariadne Getty Foundation Senior Housing facility opened this week in Los Angeles.

to prevent Wenzel from being subjected to abuse and threats by fellow residents and retaliated against her when she complained.

Lambda Legal announced one year ago, on Nov. 20, 2020, that Wenzel passed away at the

that residential facilities such as the one in which she lived are legally responsible for the safety of tenant residents.

“Marsha spent the rest of her days in a senior living community where she was out and Seventh Circuit ruling in the Wentzel case would speed up the gradual but steady advances in expanded its programs providing cultural competency training for the nation’s long-term care residential facilities. And in some cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco,

dozen long-term care facilities in Colorado in 2020 and earlier this year.

Colo., where she had lived for the previous 25 years. She believes that facility turned her down because of her gender identity.

Houston, Fort Lauderdale, and Islip, N.Y.

Grand Junction, Colo., which is nearly three hours away from her hometown of Craig, where she had hoped to remain.

an annual report and rating and scorecard for long-term care elder residential facilities and

in the state of Colorado, which has a state law that bans discrimination based on sexual nondiscrimination policies for elders around admission to the facility and for practices by staff for those residing in their facilities.

“It is the case now that in almost all states there are one or more elder care facilities that

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‘There’s no place like home’

Ariadne Getty Foundation Senior Housing facility opens in LA

By BRODY LEVESQUE

LOS ANGELES – The impact of a philanthropist’s work on a community may often be felt although the public at large may not actually be informed on the character of that person sometimes mistaking the physical recognition such as naming rights on buildings as ego driven.

This simple truth is quite applicable to the Ariadne Getty Foundation’s founder and namesake, Ariadne Getty, but her work is hardly driven by ego.

In Los Angeles the Getty family name can be found in public spaces that enhance the culture and education of Angelenos, the two most notable being the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center and the Getty Research Institute Library.

At LA’s central library one of the largest exhibition spaces carries the family’s name. are more focused on a marginalized community and aren’t comprised of a grouping of public spaces adorned with plaques. This quiet unassuming mother of two instead prefers to direct efforts into funding organizations that Her foundation has been underwriting the efforts of the board of directors of the latter in 2016 and on Feb 1, 2018 pledged $15 million to the organization, which focuses on media and increasing the visibility and acceptance of the Getty is the mother of two twenty-something children who is married to one of her kids. While naturally focused on the younger set as a result, she also has deep compassion interview this past January: “I’m particularly excited about the seniors,” Getty says. “My heart goes out to them so much because they’ve lost lots of their friends and they’re lonely seniors, because the seniors will be able to educate the youth about really the history and the hardships of getting to where cry from being gay in the ’40s or the ’50s — let alone during of new things like technology and I think that the youth can happiest: they’re in a Center where they’re surrounded by people. There’s no room for loneliness.”

Getty had a dream. “My goal has always been that I’ll be somebody that would give to community, to be a part of philanthropy on a larger scale,” she told Ocamb. “It’s been many years that I’ve known that — I can’t shy away from the question completely — that I would inherit money. And the become my passion.”

The Ariadne Getty Foundation Senior Housing is a result the 70,000-square-foot building has 98 affordable housing units for seniors ages 62 and above. It also has a series of large common spaces and interconnected courtyards and areas for its residents tied to the larger Rosenstein campus.

While the building bears the Getty name, the focus very “The lack of affordable housing in this country is at an

all-time high and presents even greater hardships for the

conducted in March of 2020.

Getty’s assertion that a lack of housing presents greater released by the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy at the UCLA School of left out of generational wealth for many reasons including education.

ARIADNE GETTY

(Photo courtesy of Ariadne Getty)

queer, our mom and her foundation, The Ariadne Getty Ariadne Getty Foundation Senior Housing is a standing

excluded by a family member or close friend as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity, according to a

seniors can live and age with dignity and respect.

As out-queer, young adults, our ability to be our authentic

support is a common problem for many in the community.

It is that disconnect from family or death of a partner or

elders. It is only right that these seniors receive the care and support they deserve. We are thankful our mom has helped make that a reality.”

In addition to Getty’s foundation, the Senior Housing received support from investors and government agencies, including the City of Los Angeles; Los Angeles County; City of West Hollywood; State of California; California Community

alone. Many of them at risk for homelessness which has reached epic crisis levels in Los Angeles.

— 68 percent of whom live alone. Many struggle to afford housing and other necessities. They are four times less likely than their heterosexual counterparts to have children and grandchildren to support them and twice as likely to live alone. the application process to become a potential resident of the Getty Foundation/LA Center Senior Housing two years ago.

On Tuesday the formal dedication in a press-only event culminated the years-long process that opened the Senior Housing, celebrating the latest resource for the community.

The process though had also been very much affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Prior to the Tuesday event, interviewed Getty.

The Ariadne Getty Foundation Senior Center is the “cherry on the top” which completes the Center’s dream of building an intergenerational campus—congratulations! How do you when we experienced delays due to the pandemic?

“I’m feeling a big sigh of relief knowing there are more been on the front lines advocating for equality. Without the

Also partnering was property management company Thomas Safran & Associates. In a phone interview Tuesday, community was the primary focus that was incorporated into every aspect of the design. From the physical layout to the interconnectivity with the center’s main campus, every element was purpose driven to make sure that residents had the ability to mingle and build that sense of community. the design were based on the larger campus, but stressed that the focus was on the interconnected courtyards and common spaces. The effect to engender interactions between all members of the center’s community and the seniors.

Senior Housing residents will have access to the full range of wraparound services and support provided by the Center, including case management; home-delivered meals; inmental health care; HIV support and wellness; counseling and support groups; and more than 100 monthly activities and events provided for free or at low-cost.

Ariadne Getty Foundation Senior Housing following months

rates of homelessness,” Getty answered.

“Unfortunately, the pandemic deepened disparities, Foundation Senior Center an urgent need not only for the Los Angeles community, but as an example and inspiration for communities nationwide. It’s only right that we meet this urgent need and repay their decades of hardships with the respect. The Senior Center is another step towards achieving that goal and ensuring that the most vulnerable seniors receive the care they deserve.”

Getty expressed their admiration and support for their mother’s charitable work as now physically evident with the completion of the Senior Housing.

“We couldn’t be prouder to have a mom who cares so

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CEO Lorri L. Jean. “Just in time for Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays, our residents can celebrate with each other in a safe, warm environment where they are able to live freely and fearlessly as their authentic selves. We have many reasons to be grateful this year, and are particularly thankful for Ariadne Getty, her foundation, and our affordable housing developer partner Thomas Safran & Associates, who stepped up to work with us to improve the lives of many low-income seniors!”

“This is probably the most important home I’ve ever had,” said new resident Lisa Chilton. “For 10 years, whether it was renting a room or sleeping on various sofas, I had been in many other people’s space, trying to stay small, and following their schedules. My new home is my sanctuary. It is safety. It is my place of peace.”

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WH unsure if Biden briefed on 2021 anti-trans violence White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki telling attendees at the Human Rights said last week she was unsure whether Campaign dinner in 2019: “The fastest way President Biden has been briefed on to end it is to end the Trump administration.” continued violence against transgender and The year 2021 reached a new record for non-binary people, with 2021 so far at 45 anti-transgender violence upon the death of deaths and the highest number of killings Marquiisha “Quii” Lawrence, a 28-year-old ever reported.

Black transgender woman who was shot and Psaki, asked by the Blade just days before killed in her home in Greenville, S.C. the Transgender Day of Remembrance on Joni Madison, interim president of the Nov. 20, said reports of the violence are Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement “terrible, heartbreaking” after saying she was this week announcing 2021 has broken the uncertain whether Biden was briefed. record for violence against transgender “I’m not sure, Chris, and I’m happy to and non-binary people a “tragic and deeply ask the president’s — see with out domestic upsetting moment.” policy team if they briefed on that,” Psaki “With the death of Marquiisha Lawrence, said. “That’s devastating, and that’s terrible, 2021 has become the deadliest year ever for heartbreaking to hear. It is a commitment by transgender and gender non-conforming the president to address violence, address people,” Madison said. “Each of these 45 threats to transgender people and anyone names represents a whole person and a rich who is facing those threats, but I will see if life torn from us by senseless violence, driven he’s been briefed on that.” by bigotry and transphobia and stoked When the Blade followed up with an White House Press Secretary JEN PSAKI called deaths of transgender people ‘terrible, heartbreaking.’ by people who hate and fear transgender inquiry on what options are on the table to people and the richness of their experience.” combat the violence, Psaki said she needed The White House has given recognition to the grim milestone via White House to do more research.

Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who’s a lesbian and tweeted about the issue “In terms of reducing violence?” Psaki said. “Let me just see if he’s been briefed, and last week.

I’ll talk to our domestic policy team and maybe we can connect you directly with them.”

“This year is the deadliest on record for transgender and non-binary people,” JeanBiden as a 2020 presidential candidate highlighted ongoing anti-transgender Pierre tweeted. “It’s unacceptable. Our hearts are with all who knew and loved the 45 violence, including its disproportionate reported impact on transgender people of people who have been killed this year. The march to end this epidemic of violence color. In his comprehensive LGBTQ platform, Biden repeatedly pledged he’d take steps continues.” to protect LGBTQ people from violence.

CHRIS JOHNSON In fact, Biden predicted the killing of transgender people would end if former

D.C. school postpones renaming theater after Chappelle of the Ellington community would be a missed opportunity for a teachable moment.”

The Washington Post reports that

D.C.’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts announced last week that it has postponed theater after comedian Dave Chappelle, a graduate of the acclaimed performing arts high school, following complaints about his comments about LGBTQ people, particularly

and some Duke Ellington students, including LGBTQ students, have criticized Chappelle’s comments about LGBTQ

program.

The school initially said it would hold a ceremony to rename the theater after Chappelle, one of its most famous alumni, on Nov. 23. In a statement released on Friday, the school said it would go ahead with the remaining at a ceremony rescheduled for April 22, 2022.

In the statement, the school said Closer, “contains controversial material juxtaposing discrimination against Black Americans with that against non-Black members of the LGBTQ+ community.”

The statement adds that holding the questions and concerns from members

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“We have engaged in listening sessions with our students and have allowed space for diverse viewpoints,” the statement released by the school says. “We are committed to fostering a community where every individual feels both heard and supported.”

“We recognize that not everyone will accept or welcome a particular artist’s point of view, product or craft, but reject the notion that a ‘cancel culture’ is a healthy or constructive means to teach our students how society should balance creative freedom with protecting the rights and dignity of all its members.”

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in El Salvador

Hogar Santa Marta opened in August

By ERNESTO VALLE

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — LGBTQ youth in El Salvador frequently face violence in their families and communities, and this abuse often happens with impunity.

Many of these community members have either been kicked out of them because they are not accepted for who they are.

Hogar Santa Marta (Blade photo by Ernesto Valle) A shelter that supports this vulnerable population has opened.

The Anglican Episcopal Church of El Salvador in 2009 created its Sexual Diversity Ministry, a pastoral mission that brings together LGBTQ people and their communities.

The ministry has become a space in which everyone can live their faith free of discrimination.

Hogar Santa Marta opened in August, and is one of the ministry’s initiatives.

Bishop Juan David Alvarado of the Anglican Episcopal Church of El Salvador told the Washington Blade this project responds to human needs, especially when there is so much injustice. He said the shelter is a temporary home for young people as they “We as a church wanted to give an answer to LGBTQ people who have suffered human rights violations,” said Alvarado.

Hogar Santa Marta has already helped a number of LGBTQ young people. Three of them moved into the shelter and others have been able to receive assistance at their time of need. “ abandonment, so it is about achieving a conciliation with families,” explained Cruz Torres, coordinator of the Anglican Episcopal Church of El Salvador’s Sexual Diversity Ministry. He added the goal is to allow these young people to remain with their families.

Young people as of now primarily contact the shelter through its social media networks. A technical team evaluates the cases and then determines the way to proceed with each of them based on whether they are victims of violence or forced displacement or have been kicked out of their homes.

“This method of using networks has been deliberate in order to control our growth and not to have an immediate saturation,” said Hogar Santa Marta Director Eduardo Madrid, who explained the shelter’s opening was delayed because it was not ready to support young people who need support.

Helen Jacobo, the shelter’s psychologist, and Madrid created a protocol to determine the process to use with a person who is seeking help. them and notes the situation in which they are living. It then passes this information along to the psychologist who will then schedule an interview. “ (to live) through a small interview,” said Jacobo.

Carlos, 25, sought the shelter’s support because of a series of the problems the pandemic made worse.

“I had to leave my house because of mistreatment, insults and beatings,” he recalled.

Carlos said he was relieved to arrive at a safe place, and even more so when he knew that he would have a lot of support.

“They have provided me with a lot of services, such as psychosocial support and I will get a job very soon,” he said with joy. psychological therapy to address the traumas they have experienced. The shelter also accepts donations to provide residents with their basic needs.

“For my part I am very grateful, we have worked on ourselves as a person,” said Carlos with an assured look that conveys happiness from behind a face mask with a smile drawn onto it. He also expressed that he is grateful the shelter allowed him to live there with his pet that he took with him when he left his house.

Religion is not imposed upon the shelter’s residents, even though a church group created it.

“If you want to believe, you believe,” said Carlos. “They don’t impose religion on you.”

“I feel more complete and more secure,” he added, while saying that he has learned “That has been the most noticeable change that I have been able to have.”

With this self-empowerment in mind, the second stage for the shelter’s residents relocation, family awareness and creating a life plan are also part of this effort.

Alejandro, 23, has already been able to leave the shelter with the technical team’s He learned about the shelter from a friend who is a member of the Anglican Episcopal Church of El Salvador. The friend helped him present his case and he “Even though I was only there for a month, I felt the necessary support from the whole team,” says Alejandro. about how the shelter can approach future cases. Alejandro added it was very rewarding to him that both the director and the psychologist took his thoughts into account. to remain stable. He will particularly rely on the psychological support the shelter still provides him, which is the third stage of its work. This support lasts for up to a year after admission and is supported through an alliance with NGO’s, the government and private companies.

Hogar Santa Marta has made a variety of strategic alliances that allow it to carry out its work. One of them is with the U.N.’s International Organization for Migrants and The shelter hopes to use this partnership to further develop a psychosocial program that will be able to help more vulnerable LGBTQ youth. Hogar Santa Maria hopes it can use some of these same strategies that IOM uses. “ issues,” Jacobo explained.

Hogar Santa Marta’s programs have been made available to IOM in order to improve the way it views sexual diversity-related issues. They also hope to receive support for when they implement a group management program once more LGBTQ youth live in the shelter.

Rosalinda Solano, the national coordinator of the IOM project, said she is very interested in following up on the in-home work and hopes to enter into a collaboration with the shelter, such as the one that provides psychosocial support to LGBTQ people who have been returned to the country. “ linked to job opportunities,” she said.

Solano said the project seemed to be something very innovative and needed in the country, which does not have anything else. She hopes it will do something that has not been done before in El Salvador.

“It takes a fairly comprehensive approach, not it is just providing shelter,” she said. community—ASPIDH ARCOIRIS TRANS’ Casa Trans and COMCAVIS TRANS’ Casa Refugio Karla Avelar—but they primarily serve displaced transgender women. Hogar “Young people see home with great hope for a new life,” said Alvarado.

The shelter can be found at Facebook as Santa Marta LGBT and on Instagram as @ santamartalgbt. There is a link to a GoFundMe account there where donations can be made.

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BROCK THOMPSON

is a D.C.-based writer.

He contributes regularly to the Blade.

Bowser hasn’t earned my vote for third term — yet I’m just sort of Muriel’ed out

Earlier this month, our mayor Muriel Bowser announced plans to run for a third elected to a third term since Marion Barry’s victory in 1986. For me, I just can’t get

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and I were making our way from Shaw to Logan when we crossed 14th Street only help but to think of other city residents who have to deal with that sort of thing far more often than I do.

Gun crime seems to be everywhere in our city. Ask anyone you know and I’m sure duck behind a car or dart into an alley. Our city has had more than 180 killings so far this year. And at this pace, we’re set to easily surpass last year’s murder toll. From the cheap seats, it just seems to me that Mayor Bowser has no real plan to deal with gun violence.

Given the issue of gun violence, bringing up the issue of mask mandates might seem trivial if not a bit insulting. But bringing back the mask mandate this past summer seemed to be a thumb in the eye of all of us Washingtonians who not only played by the rules, but, as Washingtonians tend to do, championed the rules. We tend to take the title of the country’s most educated city pretty seriously. So when the rest of the mid-Atlantic’s major metropolitan areas ditched their mask mandates in favor of vaccine mandates, putting the onus on the unvaccinated, our mayor did the exact opposite. This had gays grumbling.

We all played ball, waited patiently in line for our shots, only to be forced to protect those who didn’t. Again, a cheap seat view from someone who is decidedly not a scientist, but the policy seems a bit punitive, not to mention illogical. Last week some friends and I attended a birthday celebration at a bar on U Street. We all evening. This sort of silly security theater had us all scratching our heads as to why, when there are no capacity restrictions for venues, masks were mandated at all. The Lastly, let’s look at the High Heel Race, that beloved queer event that is so uniquely taken it over, last month’s race was apparently a calamity. What was once the 17th Street High Heel Race now seems to be Mayor Bowser Presents the high heel race, placing far more emphasis on the mayor and what could be considered a token gesture than the drag queens and the uniqueness of an historic gay neighborhood. for sure. But the race seems to be heading toward more of a government event

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And that’s not to say I can’t give credit where credit is due. The mayor did make good on many a promise, including the plan to raze the beyond run-down D.C. General homeless shelter, replacing those beds with a system of small shelters across the city. Not to mention being a tremendous and effective thorn in the side of former President Trump. Initially, she was the only one speaking after the Jan. 6 insurrection that left our city rattled, using it to make the case for D.C. statehood.

And I do realize that some of these complaints and observations may seem like they are coming from a place of privilege. A gay man’s world in the nation’s capital might seem, well, small, a northwest existence of some square blocks. But nevertheless, they are issues — crime, tone-deaf gestures, and misguided mandates.

For me, Mayor Bowser needs to make the case for a third term. As it stands now,

12:06 PM

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MAJOR DANIELLE STEWART

Sens. Manchin and Capito: We need your support Equality Act would protect LGBTQ West Virginians

I’ll never forget the day the Common Council for the city of Beckley, W.Va., voted to amend our nondiscrimination ordinance to protect individuals from discrimination based on their gender identity and sexual orientation. It was heartcommunity. It’s made Beckley stronger and a brighter place to live, work, and visit. me. I served my country proudly for 23 years, including three combat tours—two to Iraq and one to Afghanistan—earning three Bronze Stars for my service, in addition When I returned home, I was left vulnerable to discrimination in key areas of life. That’s because West Virginia is one of 29 states where LGBTQ people are not protected by either an explicit statewide law, or federal protections prohibiting I’m grateful to have protections in Beckley, but when I leave the city or visit a place where discrimination is allowed, I lose that security. It bothers me that I served my country, deployed to places where many people did not want to go, guaranteed respect and dignity. As service members, we take the oath to protect the Constitution of the United States, and I believe that the Constitution includes after I retired from the Army, that I came out more publicly. The government policy at the time denied open service to transgender people. The Army spent years and millions of dollars training me, and other transgender people, to protect our freedom and nation; yet we would be discharged if we tried to serve as our authentic selves. I cannot fathom why, in an all-volunteer military, we would turn My experience in the military gave me a glimpse of anti-LGBTQ discrimination, and I’m glad that categorical employment discrimination is no longer government’s policy. Still, discrimination continues to happen. One of my friends who is and fellow employees using her pre-transition name, intentionally called the wrong pronouns, and generally creating a hostile work environment. A gay male couple in that had never surfaced prior to his marriage. I personally have been misgendered and harassed at a fast food restaurant nearby, the workers at which repeatedly

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It’s well past time that we address this, by taking action at the federal level. Right now, the Equality Act is pending in the U.S. Senate, having already passed the House ADVERTISING PRO OF of Representatives with bipartisan support. We need our senators — including Sens.

Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito — to come aboard and support the passage Our senators have the opportunity to make bipartisan history, to say, together, “We believe in equality in West Virginia.” With a spotlight on our state like never before, it’s up to our senators to illuminate the path forward, get to work, and ensure everyone has a chance to thrive.

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, paymentaandscary insertion year to be transgender, as state after state passes demeaning It’s been schedule. anti-transgender laws. These bills send a pervasive, cruel message that transgender people are not welcome. It pains me to say that right now, I am the most guarded that I have ever been in the United States, nearly as guarded as I was while deployed

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We need to pass the Equality Act. We need to protect all LGBTQ Americans, including veterans like me. We need to live up to West Virginia’s state motto: “Mountaineers Are Always Free.”

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To win in 2022, Democrats must be laser focused This is not the time to attack moderates in the party

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Democrats have had a few weeks to think about and digest recent election results and clearly it had to be sobering. Virginia lost and New Jersey won by a thread. Across the nation, signs voters are retreating to their side of the aisle and independents are not happy with Democrats. In most areas it was only moderate Democrats who could win. In Buffalo, N.Y., the socialist candidate for mayor who managed to win the Democratic primary was soundly defeated by a write-in candidate. In New York City, the moderate candidate won the Democratic primary and became mayor. In Ohio, Shontel Brown, the more moderate Democratic candidate won the open congressional seat having beaten the left-wing candidate in the primary. Yes there were some progressive wins such as the mayor of Boston.

But overall it was moderate Democratic candidates who managed to hold on.

Now it’s time to look at the House of Representative seats that will be open tempting for everyone to jump into those races but Democrats need to look Democrats. If those open seats were Republican then Democrats must look at the general electorate in the district or state to see who has the best chance of winning.

One of the best chances for a Democratic pick-up of a Senate seat is in Pennsylvania. Clearly the statewide electorate in Pennsylvania is moderate to moderate right. Currently one of the candidates who seems to have the best record for such a win is Connor Lamb who is leaving his House seat to run for the Senate. Democrats will have to look at the open seat he leaves and determine who best can win in a very moderate district. This will happen in a number of other states like Florida, where Val Demings is leaving her seat to run for the Senate and Charlie Christ is leaving his seat to run for a second term as governor.

In each case Democrats will need to be realistic when they look at whom to support in the primary and make the determination on who can win not only the primary but the general election. This is not the time to attack moderate Democrats in Districts where only a moderate can win.

It will be the time to tout what Democrats and President Biden have done on issues that will reverberate around kitchen tables. I recently heard about an LGBTQ group touting the teaching of ‘porn literacy’ in the schools. While understanding the concept behind this, helping young people digest and understand the things they are seeing, the term ‘porn literacy’ will be as much of a lightening rod as

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protest votes, like the one she cast against the hard infrastructure bill, which will bring billions to New York City, including to its subway system, which is used by thousands of her own constituents. Will she and other progressives cast a vote to be elected to a legislature in which all progress is based on compromise, the system set up by our founders, and she needs to come to grips with that. It is a role different from one who is only an outside agitator. Those inside are responsible around. Intelligent messaging, action by Congress, and a laser-like focus on winning congressional seats can make the difference.

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Holiday movie and TV preview

Lesbian romance, ‘Rent’ adaptation, and Lady Gaga make the season bright

By JOHN PAUL KING

It wasn’t all that long ago – barely one or two Decembers ago, really – that the holiday lineup of movies and TV shows offered very little in the way of LGBTQ inclusion. It may have been the time of year to don our gay apparel, but the closest thing to gay representation we were likely to get on our This year, however, is a different story. The seasonal entertainment landscape of 2021 brings with it the usual crop of mainstream (read: straight) crowd-pleasers with queer appeal (Lady Gaga as scheming reallife social-climber and Gucci murderer Patrizia Reggiani? Yes, please!), but it also comes bearing a much heftier-than-usual bag of gifts in the form of actual queer content, with actual queer characters and stories, and with some of our favorite stars. Not all of them are holiday stories, of course, but that doesn’t mean they don’t all make the season brighter – and the Blade is here to help you sort through the bounty with our annual Holiday Preview, a roundup of titles our readers will want to check out. The list is below:

girls’ mother, in an ensemble cast that also features Richard Jenkins and June Squibb. Playwright Karam not only wrote the adaptation himself, but also directed, making his debut behind the camera and ensuring that this Saved by the Bell, Season 2 Peacock’s reboot of the classic ‘90s sitcom returns for a second round, and besides the obvious appeal in the camp and nostalgia departments, it also features a trans leading character portrayed by a trans actress. Populating the halls of Bayside High is a cast that includes Elizabeth Berkley Lauren,

tick, tick…BOOM! of the posthumously produced autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, who revolutionized musical theater as the creator of “Rent” but died suddenly of an aortic dissection at 35 before he could see it grow to a next great American musical while waiting tables in a NYC diner, dealing with pressures in his personal life, and watching the artistic community around him be ravaged by the ongoing AIDS crisis. Fittingly enough, this debut of another Broadway giant – none other than “Hamilton” and “In the Heights” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, himself. Written by Tony-winner Steven Levenson (“Dear Evan Hansen”), it also stars Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesús, Joshua Henry, Mj Rodriguez, Bradley Whitford, Tariq Trotter (aka Black Thought of The Roots), Judith Light, and Vanessa Hudgens.

House of Gucci As mentioned above, this tale of true crime and high fashion stars LGBTQ ally Lady Gaga, and it’s already been called “disappointing” by the real-life Gucci family – so you know it’s going to be juicy. Inspired by the shocking true story of Patrizia Reggiani (Gaga), whose marriage into the family behind the of love, betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately murder. Directed by also stars Adam Driver, Jeremy Irons, Salma Hayek, Al Pacino, Reeve Carney, and an unrecognizable Jared Leto as Paolo Gucci.

The Humans Another import from the Broadway stage, this seasonally appropriate adaptation of Stephen Karam’s Tony-winning drama centers on a dysfunctional NYC family as they help their youngest daughter Brigid (Beanie Feldstein) move into her new apartment with her boyfriend (Steven Yuen) on Thanksgiving Day. This sets the scene for a relatable – if occasionally uncomfortable – holiday dinner in which personal issues become fodder just another cutting domestic drama for the holidays, this one goes deep to offer a slice-of-life observational commentary on the state of family life in America today. Amy Schumer co-stars as Brigid’s older lesbian sister Aimee, and Jayne Houdyshell reprises her acclaimed Broadway performance as the

24

PHILEMON CHAMBERS

MICHAEL URIE

Single All the Way Yet another Tony-winner (Michael Mayer) directs this promising entry to Michael Urie (“Ugly Betty,” Broadway’s “Torch Song”) as a gay man who asks his best friend (Philemon Chambers) to pose as his boyfriend at his family’s Christmas dinner to avoid being questioned about his perpetually single status. Unbeknownst to him, his mom (Kathy Najimi) has already planned to set him up with her handsome personal trainer (Luke MacFarlane) – which obviously means that festive hijinks are sure to follow. This slice of seasonal sweetness also features Barry Bostwick (“The Rocky Horror Picture Show”) and Jennifer Robinson, and capping it off is the incomparable Jennifer Coolidge, rounding out her “White Lotus” year with what will undoubtedly be another mesmerizingly dotty performance in a supporting role.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

MICHAEL URIE and JENNIFER COOLIDGE in ‘Single All the Way.’

Holiday movie and TV preview The Bitch Who Stole Christmas (VH1 12/2): In the “why didn’t they do this sooner?” category is this holiday special from Emmy-winning TV icon and “Drag Race” legend RuPaul, who takes the screen as “a workaholic big-city fashion journalist” who (according to the show’s throat housewives, a high-stakes ‘Winter Ball’ competition, Joining Mama Ru onscreen will be 20 “Drag Race” winners and a host of other celebrities. We’re there.

With Love (Amazon Prime 12/17): showrunner of the queer-inclusive reboot of “One Day miniseries, complete with a heavily inclusive LGBTQ cast and queer storylines that feature a gay couple (played by

tracking the Diaz family as they search for love and purpose

Under the Christmas Tree (Lifetime 12/19):

celebration – in the backyard of marketing whiz Alma it’s not long before – with a little help from the tree and

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By TINASHE CHINGARANDE

Friday, November 19

Friday Tea Time and social hour for Older LGBTQ+ adults will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. Feel free to bring your beverage of choice. For the Zoom link or more information, contact Justin (justin@ thedccenter.org).

SUPERSTAR: A VARIETY DRAG REVUE is this Friday at Songbyrd. Celebrate the creative force that is drag and go to the comeback of Superstar! Our show had to be stopped due to the pandemic and now Songbyrd is back with a vengeance at a brand new location! Bigger space, bigger stage!

All are welcome! Tip spots for performers happening all-night long, just show up and sign up! If you’re new to the performance scene or if you’re just looking to earn extra tips, this is your chance to hone your craft and shine! Coming back November 19th, Friday at the new Songbyrd Music House! No cover! Show starts at 11pm, 21+, DM @bombalicious.eklaver (on IG) to secure your TIP SPOTS! See you there!

Saturday, November 20 LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space the strives to be safe and judgement free. For more information, email supportdesk@ thedccenter.org.

South Asian Support Group will be at 1:30 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community and online on Zoom. This event is only open to people who identify as LGBTQ+ and can trace their family heritage to South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) Please contact board.khushdc@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Sunday, November 21 Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. Guests do not need to be a member of the Beta Kappa Chapter or the Beta Phi Omega Sorority in order to join, but must either identify as a lesbian or are questioning that aspect of your identity. Please email supportdesk@thedccenter.org to receive the Zoom information.

OUT & ABOUT Children’s Beach House to host holiday fundraiser The Children’s Beach House in Lewes, Del., will begin its weekend-long fundraiser with an annual holiday party on Friday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m.

The event will include a live auction, cocktails, dinner by Touch of Italy and music by artists Pamala Stanly and 2nd Time Around.

This fundraiser will help support CBH’s work with children and families. Tickets are $150.

The celebrations will continue with a “Santa’s Workshop” event on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. This event will include cookie decorating and making holiday crafts, among other events. There will also be a cash bar available with bloody mary’s and mimosas for those 21 years and older. Tickets cost $30.

CBH will end the weekend with “Happy Hour With the Boy Band Project” on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. This event will be a musical performance by an electric boy band cover group, which was named “Best Group” by the 2019 Broadway World Awards that reimagines the sound, movement, and energy of NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, One Direction, and more. Tickets are $150. Visit cbhinc.org for more information.

Monday, November 22 The Center Aging Coffee Drop-in will be at 10 a.m. at the DC Center. LGBT Older Adults and friends are invited for friendly conversations and current issues that you might be dealing with. For more information visit Center Aging’s Facebook or Twitter.

Tuesday, November 23 Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is for people who identify outside visit Genderqueer DC’s Facebook.

Wednesday, November 24 Job Club will be hosted via Zoom at 6 p.m. This event is a weekly job support program to help job resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more details, please contact centercareers@thedccenter.org.

Thursday, November 25 Thanksgiving Feast and Zoom Hangout will be at 1 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community and online on Zoom. For those attending in-person, meals will be available for pick-up. supportdesk@thedccenter.org.

3 2 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • NOVEMBER 1 9 , 2 0 2 1

PAMALA STANLEY performs at a fundraiser for the Children’s Beach House in Lewes, Del., on Dec. 3.

Starts Next Week!

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By TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Share, and share alike.

That may, in retrospect, be the most ridiculous thing moon; you just want what you want and why pass it around?

Various roommates through the years indulged in her Be

aware

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3 4 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • NOVEMBER 1 9 , 2 0 2 1

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By EVAN CAPLAN Delights run morning to night at The Wharf’s new Bistro du Jour, a casually sophisticated French outpost sliding into a prime waterfront space.

Courtesy of gay-owned KNEAD Hospitality + Design, this new

KNEAD family for more than four years, has put together a and a “Champs Elysees” with cognac, chartreuse, lemon,

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of each liquor: one

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Goose,” notes with a smile.

waterfront locales.

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wine

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rounds out its stock with French aperitifs majority of the restaurant’s seating is situated on the The owners of Bistro du Jour say, ‘Our restraunts are intended to be welcoming to all guests of all backgrounds, beliefs and demographics.’ (Phots by Rey Lopez courtesy Bistro du Jour)

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NOV E M B E R 1 9 , 2 0 2 1 • WA S H I N GTO N B L A D E.CO M • 3 9

Flag Football playoffs

LGBTQ league plays on Carter Barron Field (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

The D.C. Gay Flag Football League held its playoffs at Carter Barron Field on Sunday.

The winners advance to the championships on Nov. 21. Visit DCGFFL.org for more information.

4 0 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • NOVEMBER 1 9 , 2 0 2 1

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Fun holiday gifts for car fans

Something for everyone, from Bentley trikes to a Mercedes tree topper

By JOE PHILLIPS

For all those gear heads in your life, here are some fun holiday gifts to get their motors running. Many of these stocking stuffers are affordable. Others, well, not so much.

Bentley Trike for Tykes Leave it to Bentley to create a fancy fuchsia trike ($500). With six modes, from stroller to tricycle, parents can adjust this threewheeler as a toddler gets older.

Along with the “Big B logo,” the Bentley name is emblazoned on the down tube. Yes, there are more subdued colors, but why bother?

Ford Sherpa Blanket Cuddle up with a warm and fuzzy Sherpa blanket ($30), made of 100% polyester and the Ford logo embroidered in the corner.

MINI Travel Bag For quick weekend getaways, MINI has a large softluggage travel bag ($190) with extendible handle, two wheels, large main compartment, outer pocket and removable zipped pockets.

Mercedes Tree Topper What better tree topper than a Mercedes threepointed metal star ($52), which measures 8 inches across.

Post on social, and dare anyone to top that!

Aston Martin Wristwatch Just in time for the holidays, there’s the Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition ($18,000). Made by Girard-Perregaux), this ritzy wristwatch has a high-grade sapphire-crystal pane on the back, and racing-green paint applied to the dial 21 times.

Jaguar Suitcase Simple but elegant, Jaguar’s compact suitcase ($282) has a polycarbonate shell, aluminum frame and multidirectional wheels that look like real alloy car wheels. Two larger suitcases also available.

Subaru Holiday Sweater Just shy of being an entrant at some uglysweater contest, this festive Subaru holiday sweater ($70) is 100% acrylic and incredibly comfortable.

Front End of a 1962 Ferrari 268 SP Only one 1962 Ferrari 268 SP race car was ever built, and now there’s a full-scale replica of the front end ($22,000). A pedestal is available, or enthusiasts can mount this work of art on the wall.

Porsche Table-top Clock The alarm tone on this tabletop clock ($250) sounds just like a throaty Porsche 911 engine.

Includes Martini Racing design, as well as a countdown function and analog/digital display.

Rolls-Royce Portable “Pursuit Seat” Rolls-Royce, known for its relentless pursuit of perfection, now has a portable “Pursuit Seat” ($8,800) — perfect for any derriere. The adjustable seat is anything but old cushy leather (tastefully embossed with the Spirit of Ecstasy insignia, of course).

4 2 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • NOVEMBER 1 9 , 2 0 2 1

Ferrari Vintage Steering Wheel For more frugal fare (kinda sorta) Ferrari offers a vintage three-spoke steering wheel ($4,010). Such steering wheels were used in Ferraris between 1959 and 1965, and this full-scale repro—made of mahogany and polished aluminum—features the iconic prancing horse in the center.

Bentley Heritage Bear Many automakers offer cuddly teddy bears, and Bentley is no exception.

The limited-edition Heritage Bear jacket, suede-like helmet and racing goggles. There’s even a dust bag with drawstring for safekeeping.

NOV E M B E R 1 9 , 2 0 2 1 • WA S H I N GTO N B L A D E.CO M • 4 3

Dining without a dining room

Today’s hosts are likely more casual than in the past

By VALERIE M. BLAKE

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, you may be thinking about gathering your loved ones and kindred spirits to celebrate the positive things in your life, praise your higher power, pay homage to indigenous people, or just stuff your face and fall asleep in front of the television at the traditional Thanksgiving after-party: the football game.

Thinking back to my childhood, I remember the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen. The elegant table in the formal dining room was adorned with a crisp, white tablecloth, “the good china,” sterling silver place settings, a variety of serving dishes for the forthcoming bounty, and a cornucopia centerpiece containing dried fruits and vegetables.

My dad, Ozzie, would carve the turkey and my mom, Harriet, would bring out the pecan and mincemeat pies for dessert…wait a minute…did I really grow up in a 1950s sitcom? Yup, I did, although Ozzie was Don and Harriet was Grayce.

Sometimes we would visit my maternal grandparents in Maine, whose formal dining room was less so - an extended part of the living room in the 1940s version gas station that my grandfather owned.

On occasion, we would go to Massachusetts to spend a day or two with my paternal grandmother and her extended clan. There was nothing “formal” about the dining room there. Dinner took place on a litany of card tables set up on the jalousied porch off the kitchen.

When dinner was over, my grandmother would rise from the head of the table and declare, “I made the dinner. Now you do the dishes.” My father and his sisters would scurry like baby chicks to adhere to her demand.

As I grew older, I rarely lived near family. Every so often, I would be invited to dinner as the obligatory guest – the girlfriend of whatever young man I was seeing at the time. Later, I would become part of the restaurant holiday dining crowd.

For several years, I had a standing date with a good friend for dinner and a movie on Thanksgiving Day. We would choose restaurants that advertised dishes like Lobster Thermador, Champagne Ravioli, or Boeuf Bourguignon, but would invariably select the traditional turkey dinner with dressing and all the trimmings Fast-forward to 2020 and we may not have gathered at all, content to have Whole Foods or Door Dash deliver Thanksgiving dinner to be eaten in front of the television while watching Hallmark movies.

Now here we are. The formal dining room has gone the way of the good china and the sterling silver. For most of us, they are simply not necessities in our lives designated for dining?

First, you don’t need to purchase things you have no room to store later. Although “rent” can be a four-letter word to a real estate agent, a party rental company’s website allows you to select items online and have them delivered and removed at a fraction of the cost.

Are you trying to seat a large group for dinner? Let’s start with the premise that all your guests do not need to be at a banquet table. Consider having several tables for two or four placed around the room. It will give you the ambiance of your favorite bistro and still allow for conversation among your guests.

You can also rent folding chairs, linens, place settings, and stemware. Once your order arrives, just set the tables and add candles or your favorite centerpieces to complete a festive look.

If you have no room for a seated event, you can order standing cocktail tables. Your breakfast bar or kitchen counter will make a perfect buffet line.

Better yet, have an open house, inviting guests at slightly different times so you see everyone without feeling like you’re in the middle of a crowded concert.

Is your style even more casual? Rather than worrying about recycling plastic cups and sporks, pick up a bunch of Oftast dinner or dessert plates for 79 cents each at Ikea. Add a 6-pack of Svalka wine glasses and cutlery service for four from the Mopsig collection for $5 each. Pull out some pillows and eat while sitting cross-legged on the Some of us may have trouble getting back up, but we’ll be in perfect position to fall asleep during the football game.

4 4 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • NOVEMBER 1 9 , 2 0 2 1 • B US I NE S S

The large formal dining room is a thing of the past. Here are some tips for a more modest Thanksgiving set up.

Valerie M. Blake

is a licensed Associate Broker in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia with RLAH Real Estate.

Call or text her at 202-246-8602, email her via DCHomeQuest.com, or follow her on Facebook at TheRealst8ofAffairs.

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