(Photo via Bigstock/Joe Pchatree)
Bracing for winter
Number of LGBTQ homeless youth in D.C. rises amid Trump cuts, PAGE 08
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Center for Black Equity honors leaders, activists at BE. Gala Miyake-Mugler, Oakes co-host annual awards ceremony By MICHAEL KEY
The Center for Black Equity held its annual BE. Gala at Conrad Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Lolita Leopard Miyake-Mugler and Anthony Oakes co-hosted the awards ceremony. Honorees included journalist and producer Justin Stewart; nonprofit leader Nikki Alexander; HIV advocate Marlene McNeese; the nonprofit organization FreeLux
Project; actress Monroe Alise; public health advocate Tori Cooper; Manassas Park Vice Mayor Darryl G. Moore; Rev. Dr. Carmarion D. Anderson; Bishop Steven Sawyer; government relations professional Courtney Snowden; Senior Deputy Director of HAHSTA at D.C. Health, Clover Barnes; and Texas state Rep. Venton C. Jones. The event was sponsored by Gilead.
Center for Black Equity President and CEO KENYA HUTTON speaks at the 2026 BE. Gala on Saturday. (Blade photo by Michael Key)
Bowser announces LGBTQ History Month events D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the D.C. Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs have announced they will join the local LGBTQ community in celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month throughout October. An Oct. 2 joint statement from Bowser and the Office of LGBTQ Affairs says the celebration will include several events in partnership with D.C. LGBTQ organizations and LGBTQ businesses. It says among the events will be a “Birthday Bash” celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Office of LGBTQ Affairs. “Throughout October, Washingtonians are invited to honor the people, places, movements, and milestones that have shaped the District’s LGBTQIA+ community and the community’s ongoing contributions to Washington, D.C.,” the statement says. “LGBTQIA+ History Month is a reminder that our history is not simply something we look back on — it is something we continue to make,” Japer Bowles, director of the Office of LGBTQ Affairs said in the statement. Bowles added that in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Office of LGBTQ Affairs “we honor the generations of advocates, artists, organizers, businesses, and residents who built our community and continue to shape its future. This milestone is an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come while continuing to build a more welcoming, inclusive and connected Washington, D.C.” Equality Forum, the Philadelphia-based group that initiated the nationwide annual LGBTQ+ History Month in October, has said it recognizes the history, achievements, and contributions of LGBTQ people and the organizations they have led to advance the rights of LGBTQ people. The statement released by Bowser and the D.C. Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs says these are among the upcoming events planned for October:
Relationship Lab: A Healthy Relationships Series
Join us for an engaging series exploring what makes relationships healthy and how to recognize the signs when they’re not. Facilitated by DC SAFE in partnership with MOLGBTQA (The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs.) When: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 13, and 20, 6-7:30 p.m. Where: 899 North Capitol St. N.E. RSVP: The Relationship Lab
The annual 17th Street High Heel Race will take place in Dupont Circle on Oct. 27, 2026. It is one of the city’s events that will celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month. (Blade photo by Michael Key)
MOLGBTQA Birthday Bash
Join us for the 20th Anniversary Celebration! We will be hosting an upbeat gathering, highlighting community leaders, advocates, artists, and institutions who have advanced LGBTQIA+ progress in Washington, D.C. over the last two decades. This event will highlight key milestones and the contributions of LGBTQIA local community partners with live entertainment and free refreshments. When: Thursday, Oct. 15, 6-9 p.m. Where: Penn Social (801 E St. N.W.) RSVP: s.dc.gov/MOLGBTQABday
Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee
Come get to know the newest members of the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee. This diverse group of leaders, business owners, and advocates advise the mayor and Director Bowles on issues relating to DC’s LGBTQIA+ community and the Office of LGBTQ Affairs. When: Monday, Oct. 19, 6-7 p.m. Where: DC LGBTQ+ Community Center (1827 Wiltberger St., N.W.) RSVP: s.dc.gov/LGBTQMACoct
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39th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race
Join us for the High Heel Race, cheering the queens, kings, and our community members as they sprint down 17th Street in heels, creativity, and pure D.C. spirit. From lively drag performances to thousands of neighbors filling the street, don’t miss this D.C. night! When: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6-10 p.m. Where: 17th Street between R and P Streets, N.W. RSVP: s.dc.gov/2026HHR What appeared to be the first LGBTQ+ History Month-related event to take place in D.C., called PRIDEtoberfest, was held Saturday, Oct. 3 from 12-11:30 p.m. at the city’s Wunder Garten outdoor beer garden and event facility at 1101 First St., N.E. A flyer announcing the event says the Capital Pride Alliance and the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs were among the event’s participants. “We proudly attended, tabled, and I gave remarks at the Pridetoberfest this weekend,” Japer Bowles, director of the LGBTQ Affairs Office told the Blade. LOU CHIBBARO JR.
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D.C.’s LGBTQ homeless facilities face possible hit from Trump funding cuts 38 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ, up from 2025 By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com
(Editor’s note: This article is part of our 2026 contribution to the D.C. Homeless Crisis Reporting Project in collaboration with other local newsrooms. The collective works will be published throughout the week at bit.ly/DCHCRP.) A decision by President Trump’s administration to eliminate most federal funding for community-based programs to place homeless people in permanent subsidized housing could have a severe adverse impact on LGBTQ people facing homelessness in D.C., according to local advocates. Officials with organizations that provide services for homeless people in the D.C. area and nationally have pointed to an executive order issued by Trump last year that calls for ending federal support for so-called “Housing First” programs that arrange for permanent subsidized housing for homeless people. The officials note that Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget calls for eliminating funding for the Housing First programs. Advocates for programs providing support for homeless people note that ending federal funding for permanent housing for homeless people will — and in some cases already has — resulted in occupants of homeless shelters and shortterm transitional housing facilities remaining in those facilities far longer than in the past, preventing openings for others who need housing. A lawsuit filed by several states and homeless advocacy organizations, including the D.C.-based National Alliance To End Homelessness, to block the Trump efforts to cut off those funds has temporarily delayed some of the funding cuts. A decision in August by a federal judge in Rhode Island declared the Trump action a violation of a federal law for failing to open the proposal for the funding cuts to public comment before putting it in place. Court records show the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which provides the federal funding for homeless related programs, appealed the lower court ruling and an appeals court reversed the ruling pending further appeal by the parties that filed the lawsuit. At least two of the five D.C. organizations that provide housing for homeless LGBTQ youth have said their funding so far has not been cut due to the Trump actions. Cesar Toledo, executive director of the Wanda Alston Foundation, which currently provides transitional housing for 20 LGBTQ homeless youth, said his organization receives local D.C. government funding but no federal funding so his group has so far not been impacted by the Trump action. Debby Shore, executive director of the Sasha Bruce Youthwork organization that provides housing for young people ages 18-24, including some LGBTQ youth, said her organization also had not yet been impacted but it could be impacted soon. “We have not had that funding cut,” she told the Washington Blade. “What we understand is if HUD is allowed to go through with those changes, then we will,” she said. “Because we have one of our programs that’s funded directly by HUD,” which she said could be considered the type of “long term” housing that HUD wants to cut. A spokesperson for the local LGBTQ youth advocacy organization SMYAL, which currently provides housing for 55 homeless LGBTQ youth according to its website, didn’t immediately respond to a Blade inquiry into whether they have been impacted by the Trump actions. Toledo of the Alston Foundation said he understood that SMYAL has received federal funding for its homeless program. At least two other D.C. organizations that provide housing for homeless youth, including some LGBTQ youth – Covenant House and the Latin American Youth Center – also couldn’t immediately be reached for comment on whether they have been impacted by the Trump funding cuts. The city’s only shelter for homeless LGBTQ adults, which is operated by the D.C. Department of Human Services and is D.C. funded, has not been immediately impacted by the Trump funding cuts, according to a DHS statement sent to the Washington Blade in response to a Blade inquiry. Called Living Life Alternative, the low-barrier shelter accommodates 40 individuals, the statement says. It says DHS receives federal funding for its homeless services programs, and it
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(Photo via Bigstock/Joe Pchatree)
was awaiting HUD approval for its annual federal funding grant for the city’s Permanent Supportive Housing program for homeless residents. It says the current funding for that program expires Jan. 31, 2027. According to the statement, a separate federal grant DHS receives from HUD for homeless assistance services was approved for next year but included “a slight reduction in funding of $22,808.” The annual 2026 Point-In-Time (PIT) count of homeless people in D.C., conducted in January, recorded a total of 5,363 people who were homeless, a 4 percent increase over the previous year. The PIT count report shows 424 adults, or 12 percent of the adults counted, identified as members of the LGBTQ community, a slight increase over the 11.7 percent of homeless LGBTQ people counted in 2025. It shows that 38 percent of “Transition Age Youth” ages 18-24 identified as LGBTQ, an increase of one percent over the 37 percent of LGBTQ youth counted in 2025. The Trump administration through HUD has said it supports housing for homeless people that lasts no more than two years and participants should be required to get treatment for the mental illness and substance use disorders such as drug addiction and alcoholism that many homeless people suffer from. The Washington Post has cited studies showing that up to two-thirds of homeless people have a mental illness and two in five have a substance use disorder. “Housing First has failed our most vulnerable and enabled addiction,” the Post quoted HUD saying in an email message. “HUD’s proposed reforms seek to address the root cause of homelessness and advance recovery, self-sufficiency, and competition that drives accountability,” the Post quoted the HUD statement as saying. Shore, director of Sasha Bruce Youthwork, disputes that assessment, saying treatment for disorders should not be a replacement for longer term housing programs, which she said improves the outcome of treatments for disorders. “I think the idea of putting more services in place – I don’t have any problem with that,” she said. “But suggesting that you do that in exchange for longer term supports for people does not seem to be the right way to go.”
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Victory Fund board probes staff allegations against Evan Low ‘No legal or policy violations were substantiated’ By MICHAEL K. LAVERS | mlavers@washblade.com
The Washington Blade has learned the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund’s board of directors investigated former staffers’ allegations that CEO Evan Low bullied staff and mismanaged finances and found no evidence of wrongdoing on his part. The Blade obtained a letter the former staffers emailed to the board on Aug. 5. The subject was “concerns about Evan Low.” The World Pride Human Rights Conference began in Amsterdam the same day. Low on Aug. 7 spoke at the beginning of a panel that featured Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, who is the Netherlands’s first openly gay head of government, and other current and former European prime ministers and heads of government who are gay or lesbian. “We, a coalition of former employees of the Victory Fund, are writing to bring urgent concerns to your attention regarding the leadership and management of our organization under the direction of President and Chief Executive Officer Evan Low,” it reads. “Over the past 18 months since his appointment in March 2025, we believe patterns of behavior have emerged that threaten the organizational integrity, financial stability, and mission of the Victory Fund.” The Blade was unable to confirm how many former Victory Fund employees signed the anonymous letter. It does, however, state LGBTQ+ Victory Fund CEO EVAN the “accounts LOW speaks at his organization’s 2025 National Champagne Brunch in D.C. below reflect (Blade photo by Michael Key) our direct experiences and observations during our employment, as well as reports we received from colleagues, partners, and board members.” Low was a former member of the California State Assembly who unsuccessfully ran to succeed then-U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) in the U.S. House of Representatives after she announced her retirement in 2024. He succeeded former Houston Mayor Annise Parker as the Victory Fund’s CEO in March 2025. (The California Fair Political Practices Commission the same month fined Low $106,000 after he admitted he tried to conceal payments to actor Alec Baldwin in exchange for appearing at his campaign events.) The Blade has learned 21 people have left the Victory Fund since Low became CEO. Board spokesperson Claire VanSusteren pointed out to the Blade there “was significant turnover during the first 18 months of the prior CEO’s tenure, including across every major department or direct-report function — the Institute, Communications, Development, Political, Finance, Operations and the executive assistant to the CEO — as well as among staff in other positions.” “The circumstances of individual departures varied, but changes in leadership often bring changes in staffing and organizational structure, and Victory has experienced that across leadership transitions,” she said. The Aug. 5 letter notes “a culture of intimidation and verbal mistreatment took root under Mr. Low’s leader-
ship.” “Multiple signatories to this letter personally witnessed Mr. Low raise his voice at staff members during public events with partner organizations and during staff meetings, on repeated occasions,” it reads. “We witnessed members of the leadership team, including multiple vice presidents, visibly distressed and in tears in the office after such interactions, in view of junior staff. On multiple occasions, shouting was audible through closed office doors.” The letter further alleges that “departing employees who experienced or witnessed this conduct were offered financial compensation in exchange for non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements.” “If accurate, this practice is concerning because many of those receiving compensation had voluntarily resigned rather than been terminated,” it reads. “Severance for voluntarily departing employees is unusual; we believe the board should examine whether these agreements were used to prevent staff from speaking about their treatment.” The Blade since obtaining the letter has spoken with three former Victory Fund staffers who left the organization since Low became CEO. All of them asked the Blade not to identify them by name. “With Evan it’s not one or two incidents,” said one of the staffers. “It was nearly every conversation and every interaction, and he really created a culture of bullying and verbal abuse that was pervasive.” “He was very volatile and prone to flying off the handle,” they added. Another staffer with whom the Blade spoke echoed their former colleague. “Everything around the culture of bullying is absolutely true,” they said, adding Low frequently humiliated staff in front of their colleagues during meetings. “He made it clear that he thought because you weren’t doing this X, Y, Z outreach that only existed in his head until that moment, you were one of the stupidest people he had ever encountered in his life.” “Expectations were never clear,” they added. “Expectations were never laid out, but nonetheless that culture of bullying and that culture of you’re never doing enough, you are never ever going to perform in the way that he wants you to … was extremely prevalent, and it’s definitely a reason that I left. I was just so tired of dealing with that attitude.” The Aug. 5 letter alleges Low “was frequently unresponsive to staff, board members, and external partners.” “He did not, to our knowledge, hold regular one-onone meetings with leadership,” it reads. “He rarely attended staff meetings, and when he did attend, he was frequently not present in person and regularly off camera.” “At the same time, we observed him send emails demanding receipts for responses he claimed to have sent, copying multiple people in a manner staff experienced as publicly embarrassing,” added the letter. “In our experience, he rarely articulated clearly what he needed, and matters routinely devolved into last-minute crises that could have been prevented with clear direction.” The letter notes two National Labor Relations Board complaints have been filed against the Victory Fund under Low’s tenure. One of them, which the Campaign Workers Guild filed on Feb. 23, remains active. The second case that was filed in December 2025 has been
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closed. “For significant portions of time, staff, his chief of staff, and his executive assistant did not know his whereabouts or availability, making it difficult or impossible to schedule meetings likely to result in donations for the organization,” reads the letter. “He changed flights with minimal notice without informing anyone, and, on occasions we observed or were informed of, missed confirmed commitments with partners and elected officials.” The letter also urges the board to “examine whether organizational resources have been used appropriately.” The signatories state Low “has used his official title as President and CEO of the Victory Fund in fundraising activity for non-LGBTQ candidates in California, including Fiona Ma’s campaign for lieutenant governor and Karen Bass’s campaign for Los Angeles mayor.” The letter notes people who attended a Bass event at which Low “spoke while invoking his title” contacted Victory Fund staff “expressing concern about his apparent condition while speaking.” The letter also points out Low “requested and obtained a Chase Sapphire credit card with travel rewards benefits outside established expense controls and audit procedures, that receipts were routinely not saved, and that when asked about the business purpose for travel, he instructed staff to charge expenses to the organization without articulating a business rationale.” “We are informed that Mr. Low’s use of organizational credit cards, in direct circumvention of established financial controls, has resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in undocumented expenses, with no retained receipts, no stated business purpose, and no identifiable benefit to the organization,” reads the letter. “This is not a minor administrative lapse. It is a serious red flag that, left unaddressed, exposes the Victory Institute to real risk to its section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and it must be treated by the board as an immediate priority, not a routine bookkeeping matter.” “We recommend that the board require Mr. Low to personally reimburse the organization in full for any expenses that cannot be substantiated with legitimate documentation of business purpose, so that the organization bears no continuing cost for personal expenses he incurred and failed to account for,” it adds. The letter also notes “trips were frequently extended at organizational expense.” Low’s contract requires him to be in D.C. for at least three days a week. “In our observation, he rarely met this requirement, instead spending significant time in California,” reads the letter. “We are informed and believe that Mr. Low has, at times, directed his fundraising efforts in California toward Victory’s existing California PAC entity, rather than toward the Victory Fund or Victory Institute, where significant financial gaps exist,” it adds. “We believe the board should examine whether this allocation of fundraising effort serves his own future political ambitions in California, potentially allowing him influence over California-based races through Victory’s own PAC, rather than addressing the core financial needs of the organizations he was hired to lead, and whether this represents a conflict of interest requiring board attention.” The letter further notes the Victory Fund under Low’s tenure “has lost several hundred individual donors.” Continues at washingtonblade.com.
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Bessent says Trump chose him for qualifications, not sexuality Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent participated in an interview in which he said his sexuality had no impact on the president’s selection of him. On Sunday, Axios co-founder Mike Allen interviewed Secretary Bessent, the 79th person to lead the Treasury Department, in the “Cash Room” in the Treasury building. The two talked for more than 40 minutes about issues related to the current administration’s efforts for Axios’s YouTube channel. Bessent has been something of an anomaly during this administration, breaking what many consider the “gay glass ceiling.” He is the first openly gay person to lead the U.S. Treasury Department, the first openly gay Senate-confirmed Cabinet member in a Republican administration, and the highest-ranking LGBTQ government official in U.S. history. The two covered various ground — about the state of the U.S. economy, the various AI approaches by the Trump administration, and the war in Iran. All things that have made President Trump’s constant appraisal of the U.S. economy difficult to sell to the American people as the affordability crisis has worsened. Toward the end of the interview, Allen asked Bessent about deciding not to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, knowing his sexuality would be a hindrance, and instead attending Yale University. Allen asked if his choice to attend the Ivy League school held him back in life. “I don’t think it did at all, and it’s very difficult to talk about the counterfactual… but I don’t think going to Yale held me back,” Bessent said. “Maybe some people at other schools would think it might. But I think it makes you aware, and I’ve openly spoken about it before, too. I think maybe some of my career choices were influenced by it.” The U.S. Naval Academy only began allowing openly LGBTQ students to apply — and be open about their sexuality — following the 2011 repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Prior to the policy’s removal, students could be removed from the school for violating the rules, including rules related to their sexuality. “You said President Trump chose me because he believes I’m the best candidate, not
Treasury Secretary SCOTT BESSENT
(Blade photo by Michael Key)
because of my sexual preference or your green eyes…,” Allen said. “Exactly,” Bessent replied. “And I think that’s one of the reasons we have such a great team. The president makes his decisions all the time. You know, he’ll occasionally tell me, ‘You’re breaking my friends’ hearts.’ They see you on TV and they want an intro, and we have to break the news to them.” Bessent has been married to former New York prosecutor John Freeman since 2011, and they have lived together in South Carolina. There, they had two children through surrogacy. Despite being a member of the LGBTQ community, Bessent has publicly supported Trump’s policies, including some that have drawn criticism from LGBTQ advocates and organizations. These include reductions to PEPFAR funding, policies removing transgender service members from the military, recognizing only two sexes, removing LGBTQ protections from Title IX, and other policies that LGBTQ advocates argue come at the cost of LGBTQ safety and protections. The Washington Blade has reached out to the Treasury Department and Secretary Bessent’s team for comment and responses to these questions, including questions about how he views his identity and sexuality in relation to — and potentially at odds with — the policies and mission of the current administration. The Blade did not receive a response by publication time. JOE REBERKENNY
Renee Good’s family files two federal lawsuits “As we have tried to navigate our own The family of a lesbian who a U.S. Immimassive loss, I am also devastated by how gration and Customs Enforcement officer many other lives have been destroyed in killed in Minneapolis in January has filed this darkest of times. So many other famitwo federal lawsuits. lies are dealing with the loss of their loved The Associated Press notes Renee ones; to everyone who has had to witness Good’s partner, Becca Good, and her brothit — the pain of this moment extends far beer, Brent Ganger, in the lawsuits accuse the yond our family,” added Becca Good. “What Trump-Vance administration and ICE officer happened to us should never happen to Jonathan Ross of “unjustified and excessive any family. No child should grow up withuse of force.” out a parent because of it. No one should Renee Good was a 37-year-old mother of lose their sister or their daughter. No one three. should have to live without their soulmate. Ross on Jan. 7 shot and killed her in MinAccountability — real accountability — is the neapolis. only way to make sure that no other family The shooting took place during the has to go through what we have.” Trump-Vance administration’s so-called HRC President Kelley Robinson in her Operation Metro Surge that targeted Soown statement said the Good family “is one malis and other immigrant groups in Minof our own — and today, the Human Rights neapolis. U.S. Customs and Border ProtecCampaign joins them in demanding justion agents on Jan. 24 shot and killed Alex tice.” Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse who worked for “It has been eight months and 24 days the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in A protest near the White House on Jan. 10, 2026, in response to Renee Good’s death in since Renee was shot and killed by an ICE Minneapolis. Minneapolis. (Blade photo by Michael Key) agent, and the United States government Both shooting sparked outrage across has failed to take responsibility for its acthe U.S. and around the world. tions,” said Robinson. “Her partner, Becca, and brother Brent, have made the brave and “Every morning, she is my first thought. I think about how the kids are growing up bold decision to hold the government accountable, and we stand with them. Like every without their mama, and how I will grow old without the love of my life. I think about person murdered by ICE, Renee should be alive today. The Goods were robbed of what how we should have had 40 more years together. But I also think about what she would every American family deserves: to be together.” have wanted after all of this,” said Becca Good in a statement the Human Rights CamMICHAEL K. LAVERS paign released after she and her partner’s family announced the lawsuits. 1 2 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • OCTOBER 09 , 2 0 2 6 • NAT I O NA L NE WS
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Trans woman elected to Brazilian Chamber of Deputies Lula, Sen. Bolsonaro to face off in second round on Oct. 25 By MICHAEL K. LAVERS | mlavers@washblade.com
SÃO PAULO — Voters in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Norte state on Sunday elected a transgender woman to the country’s Chamber of Deputies. Natal Municipal Councilwoman Thabatta Pimenta, who is a member of the Green Party, won with 92,743 votes. She is the first trans woman from northeast Brazil elected to the country’s Congress. Pimenta became emotional when she was speaking to her supporters after she won. Her brother Ryan, who has cerebral palsy, was by her side. “This victory belongs to the people of Rio Grande do Norte,” she said. “It is a victory built from the ground up … the people themselves rose up, and you saw the result: today they elected the first female travesti federal deputy from northeast Brazil.” Pimenta will join Erika Hilton, a travesti member of the leftist Socialism and Liberty (PSOL) party who was a sex worker before her election to the São Paulo Municipal Council, and Duda Salabert, a trans woman and fellow PSOL member from Minas Gerais state, in the Chamber of Deputies. Hilton on Sunday won re-election with 1,596,472 votes, the most any female member of Congress has received in Brazilian history. THABATTA PIMENTA will represent Rio Grande do Norte Dudabert also won re-elecstate in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. tion with 215,192 votes. “Thank you Minas Gerais,” said Dudabert on social media after she won re-election. Five openly bisexual Chamber of Deputies candidates also won their races on Sunday. • Guilherme Cortez, a PSOL member in São Paulo state • Dandara Tonatzin, a member of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s Workers’ Party in Minas Gerais • Anielle Franco, a Workers’ Party member in Rio de Janeiro state • Maria Marighella, a Workers’ Party member in Bahia state • Giovana Mondardo, a Brazilian Communist Party member in Santa Catalina state Fabio Félix, a gay PSOL member of the Chamber of Deputies who represents the Federal District in which Brasília, the country’s capital, is located won re-election with 224,224 votes. Rick Azevedo, a gay PSOL member from Rio de Janeiro state, won his Chamber of Deputies race. Daiana Santos, a lesbian Brazilian Communist Party member who represents Rio Grande do Sul state in the Chamber of Deputies, won re-election with 114,315 votes. Two lesbian women won their Chamber of Deputies campaigns. • Rosa Amorin, a Workers’ Party member from Pernambuco state • Bella Gonçalves, a Workers’ Party member from Minas Gerais who is a member of the Belo Horizonte Municipal Council Samanda de Lula, a lesbian Workers’ Party member, will represent Rio Grande do Norte in the Brazilian Senate. Rio de Janeiro Municipal Councilwoman Mônica Benício, who is a PSOL member, came up short in her bid for the Senate. Her then-partner, Rio de Janeiro Municipal Councilwoman Marielle Franco, and her driver, Anderson Gomes, were assassinated on March 14, 2018. Fabiano Contarato, a gay senator from Espíritu Santo who is a member of the Workers’ Party, also lost his re-election bid. “I receive the election results with respect and serenity,” he said on social media. “The popular will is sovereign, and democracy must always be respected.” Jean Wyllys is a gay former member of the Chamber of Deputies who previously represented Rio de Janeiro state. He resigned in 2019 and fled Brazil after he received death threats. Wyllys this year ran to represent São Paulo state in the Chamber of Deputies, but he did not win his race. VoteLGBT, an organization that seeks to increase LGBTQ representation in Brazilian politics, noted 529 openly LGBTQ candidates ran in the election. The group on Sun-
day more than 30 of them won their races across the country. Natasha Ferreira, a Workers’ Party member, became the first travesti elected to public office in Rio Grande do Sul when she won a seat in the state’s Legislative Assembly. Voters in other states across the country also elected more than 20 LGBTQ candidates to their respective Legislative Assemblies. • Keka Bagno, a bisexual PSOL member, was elected to the Federal District Legislative Chamber • Açucena, a lesbian Workers’ Party member, was elected to the Espíritu Santo Legislative Assembly • Fabricio Rosa, a gay Workers’ Party member, was elected to the Goiás Legislative Assembly • Iza Lourença, a bisexual PSOL member, was elected to the Minas Gerais Legislative Assembly • Tiago Botelho, a gay Workers’ Party member, was elected to the Minas Gerais Legislative Assembly • Flávio Brasileiro, a gay Workers’ Party member, was elected to the Paraíba Legislative Assembly • Dani Balbi, a trans Brazilian Communist Party member, was elected to the Rio de Janeiro Legislative Assembly • Verônica Lima, a lesbian Workers’ Party member, was elected to the Rio de Janeiro Legislative Assembly • Dani Monteiro, a bisexual PSOL member, was elected to the Rio de Janeiro Legislative Assembly • Jean Volpato, a gay Workers’ Party member, was elected to the Santa Catarina Legislative Assembly • Linda Brasil, a trans PSOL member, was elected to the Sergipe Legislative Assembly • Sofia Favero, a trans PSOL member, was elected to the São Paulo Legislative Assembly • Paula Nunes dos Santos, a bisexual PSOL member, was elected to the São Paulo Legislative Assembly • Ediane Maria, a bisexual PSOL member, was elected to the São Paulo Legislative Assembly • Monica das Pretas, a bisexual PSOL member, was elected to the São Paulo Legislative Assembly • Duda Hidalgo, a bisexual Workers’ Party member, was elected to the São Paulo Legislative Assembly • Rodrigo Mar, a bisexual Workers’ Party member, was elected to the São Paulo Legislative Assembly • Thainara Faria, a bisexual Workers’ Party member, was elected to the São Paulo Legislative Assembly • Keit Lima, a bisexual PSOL member, was elected to the São Paulo Legislative Assembly Lula and Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro will face off in the second round of elections on Oct. 25 after neither received more than 50 percent of the vote in the first round that took place on Sunday. Bolsonaro was ahead of Lula by a 47.03-45.16 percent margin with 100 percent of the vote counted. Lula in 2022 defeated Bolsonaro’s father, then-President Jair Bolsonaro, in that year’s presidential election. The Brazilian Supreme Court last year sentenced Bolsonaro — who repeatedly targeted LGBTQ Brazilians and other groups while in office — to more than 27 years in prison for his role in an attempted coup that saw thousands of his supporters storm the Congress, presidential palace, and the Supreme Court itself on Jan. 8, 2023. Bolsonaro is currently serving his sentence at his home in Brasília, the country’s capital, because of his poor health. His son has pledged to pardon him if he becomes the country’s next president. Lula, who leads Brazil’s leftist Workers’ Party, was Brazil’s president from 2003-2010. Sergio Moro, a judge who Jair Bolsonaro later tapped as his government’s Justice and Public Security Minister, in 2017 sentenced Lula to 9 1/2 years in prison after his conviction on money laundering and corruption charges that stemmed from Operation Car Wash. The Supreme Court in November 2019 ordered Lula’s release. VoteLGBT, an organization that seeks to increase LGBTQ representation in Brazilian politics, noted 529 openly LGBTQ candidates ran in this year’s election. More than 100 of them are either transgender or travesti.
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Open houses on Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, from 1 to 4 PM
963 N. Rochester St Arlington, VA 22205 Offered at $1,499,000 Thoughtly re-imagined by HH Design Services, this classic mid-Century home is well sited on over a quarter acre private lot and is an easy 3/4 mile walk to the East Falls Church Metro. Desirable details: * open kitchen featuring Bertazzoi induction range and rangehood and Bosch dishwashers; cabinetry with silent close drawers and doors, quartz tops * three renovated bathrooms with contemporary tile and details * Andersen energy efficient windows * 400 AMP underground electric service and 60 AMP breaker for EV charger * Refnished wood floors on upper level and new carpeting in lower level * Fresh paint throughout * Custom millwork details at front of home and in kitchen * Extensive landscaping, hardscape and lighting * expansive deck opening to large, fenced private rear yard Near bikepath, restaurants, shops, and services at Westover Village and easy commute to Washington, National Airport, government, business, and military centers. Good reverse commute to Tysons, Reston Dulles Airport and Tech Corridor. A pristine home in a most convenient location.
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Associate Broker | Licensed in Virginia 703.967.4391 (CELL) betsy.twigg@corcoranmce.com Corcoran McEnearney. REALTORS 3135 Langston Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201 betsytwigg.com Equal Housing Opportunity
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KIMBERLEY BUSH
is executive director of The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center.
Center Arts Gallery celebrates 10 years with reception, auction Oct. 17 fundraiser to feature jazz combo, artwork created on site
Ten years ago, I had a vision: to create a dedicated space within The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center for local LGBTQ+ artists to share their creativity in a community space conceived specifically for them. That vision became the Center Arts Gallery. Over the past decade, the Center Arts Gallery has grown into a true home for our LGBTQ+ siblings, a place illuminating our joy, resistance, and resilience through the power of art. Art is so much more than decoration. It can be a powerful protest, a keeper of memories, a testament to survival, and a vivid reminder that our lived experiences deserve to be seen, heard, and deeply valued. When we created the Center Arts Gallery, our goal was to remove barriers so that queer artists could feel welcomed, supported, and completely free to express themselves. Now, as we mark the incredible 10th anniversary of Center Arts, love truly comes full circle as many of those same amazing artists and creatives are giving back by donating their artwork for a special benefit auction. On Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host our annual Fall Reception and Art Auction, celebrating 10 years of Center Arts Gallery at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W., with an ambitious fundraising target of $25,000. Appropriately themed “The Art of Belonging,” this milestone celebration will bring our community together with intention, uniting multiple forms of local queer creativity under one roof. The evening promises to be an unforgettable experience. We are thrilled to have the celebration hosted by award-winning spoken word artist, poet, and educator Charity Blackwell. Attendees will enjoy smooth jazz selections performed by 2nd Independence — a jazz combo from the DC Different Drummers — alongside delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres provided by Shaw Tavern and exquisite dessert offerings by celebrity chef Patrick Vanas. Throughout the night artwork will be created live on site, joining the online pieces generously donated by local artists. Most importantly, every dollar raised during the reception and auction goes directly toward sustaining The DC Center’s life-affirming programs and supportive services. From food assistance providing nourishing meals, the free food pantry, and behavioral health counseling, to trauma-informed case management, resource navigation, HIV/STI testing, and essential hygiene services like showers, laundry, and a clothing boutique, our doors remain open because of community support. These funds also support our cyber lounge, mail and locker services, harm reduction supplies, and critical wellness programs. To ensure that everyone in our community can fully participate, ASL interpretation will be provided during the event program. We offer flexible ways to join us: General Admission is free (currently at capacity), with custom signature cocktails, wine, and beer available for purchase. For those looking for an elevated evening, our $75 VIP Experience includes early admission at 6 p.m., early online auction access, complimentary Champagne (6-7 p.m.), an intimate opportunity to mingle with participating artists, a special swag bag, plus an open beer and wine bar throughout the entire evening. For 10 years, Center Arts Gallery has shown us that belonging is an art form we create together. As we look back on a decade of community and look forward to the future, I invite you to join us, support local queer artists, and invest in the essential programs that keep our community thriving. Let’s come together to ensure that The DC Center can continue to educate, empower, uplift, and connect us all for generations to come.
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WILLIAM WAYBOURN
is co-founder and the first executive director of the Victory Fund and Victory Institute.
JOE FALK, HOWARD PULCHIN, and NANCY KATZ are board chairs of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund.
Evan Low is not the leader the Victory Fund needs at this moment
The facts about Victory Fund’s investigation and the path forward
As co-founder and the first executive director of the Victory Fund and Victory Institute, I find the ongoing turmoil between a dozen or more employees and the organization’s new president, Evan Low, deeply distressing—particularly during such a critical election year. The Victory Fund’s mission has always been clear and important: to elect and support qualified LGBTQ candidates for public office and, in doing so, secure a “seat at the table” from which LGBTQ issues can be advanced. That mission is too important to let internal turmoil diminish it. I applaud the employees for going public with their concerns. When harassment allegations and other serious complaints threaten to derail an organization that was once so effective, where else are employees supposed to turn? The board of directors has a legal and fiduciary responsibility to the organization and to its donors. I do not know Mr. Low, nor have I ever met him. Given my role as a founder, former executive director, and major donor, I found that somewhat remarkable. I was also surprised by the organization’s lack of contact with me at any level—whether to seek my financial support, ask for help with fundraising, or simply seek the perspective of someone involved in building the organization from its earliest days. When Mr. Low was hired, members of the press contacted me about reports concerning his involvement in previous election-law matters. I declined to comment beyond saying that the board had hired an outside search firm to conduct the search and that I was in no position to assess any issues in Mr. Low’s past. In hindsight, however, I have come to believe that Mr. Low is not the leader the Victory Fund needs at this particular moment. Ultimately, though, this is a matter for the board of directors to resolve. The board has an obligation to act decisively and independently before this internal conflict further damages an organization whose stature, effectiveness, and reputation were built over decades. The work of the founding board, subsequent boards of directors, and former leaders David Mixner, Brian Bond, Chuck Wolfe, and Annise Parker should not be so easily undone. The Victory Fund once commanded the admiration, confidence, and financial support of countless people—including me. I hope the board recognizes what is at stake and acts before that legacy is lost.
William Waybourn helped found an organization whose mission has never been more important, but his recent op-ed in the Washington Blade leaves readers with a fundamentally inaccurate impression about how the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Institute Boards responded to concerns raised about our organizations, their leadership, and our governance responsibilities. The boards did not dismiss or minimize concerns. We did what responsible governing bodies should do: We took them seriously, retained experienced independent legal counsel, and authorized a thorGov. ANDY BESHEAR (D-Ky.) speaks with Victory ough investigation to establish Fund President and CEO EVAN LOW at the LGBTQ+ the facts. Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch on April 19. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) The investigation proceeded without interference from the boards or organizational leadership, and the full boards were briefed on its eventual finding. The conclusion matters: The investigation did not substantiate any legal or policy violations. After the briefing, the boards voted unanimously to accept the findings and close the investigation. An independent investigation is meaningful only if we are prepared to respect its conclusions — whatever they may be. In this case, after reviewing the investigation and its findings, the boards continue to have confidence in President and CEO Evan Low. That does not mean our work as governing bodies is finished or that any organization is beyond improvement. The boards will continue to work with staff strengthening Victory, including reviewing and updating policies to ensure they reflect best practices and support a strong working environment. We can take matters raised seriously while also being clear about what an independent investigation did and did not find. Those are not contradictory positions. In fact, maintaining both is essential to treating everyone involved fairly. Victory has endured for more than three decades because its mission is bigger than any one individual — a founder, board member, CEO, staff member, candidate, elected official, or donor. Generations of people have built Victory into an indispensable force for LGBTQ+ political representation, and those entrusted with governing it today take seriously our responsibility to protect that legacy and strengthen Victory for what comes next. And what comes next could not be more consequential. Election Day is weeks away, LGBTQ+ candidates across the country are facing enormously important races, and our community continues to confront attacks on our rights and representation. We will continue exercising the oversight expected of us, strengthening the Victory organizations, and focusing on the urgent work Victory was created to do: training and helping elect LGBTQ+ leaders, and ensuring our community has a voice wherever decisions about our lives are made.
The board must recognize what is at stake and act before org’s legacy is lost
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund President and CEO EVAN LOW speaks at the Human Rights Conference at WorldPride 2026 in Amsterdam. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
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Probe did not find legal or policy violations by Evan Low
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PETER ROSENSTEIN
is a longtime LGBTQ rights and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly for the Blade.
Trump, Netanyahu, and Putin are all war criminals We are living in a world of chaos as a result
Today there are war criminals leading three major governments. President Trump here in the United States, Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, and Vladimir Putin in Russia. The world would be a better place if they were thrown into a jail cell together, and the key tossed away. We are living in a world of chaos. Although these three are not responsible for all of it, they have a major role. All three are carrying out wars that they can’t win. Wars that should have never been started. In the process they are not only killing their stated enemies, but they’re also causing the deaths of their own people. Here in the United States, we have a felon in the White House, who has done nothing but create chaos in the world since he took office. He has broken every promise he made to get elected, and while many of us knew they were all lies, he won anyway. He promised lower rents, lower mortgage rates, lower inflation, lower gas prices, lower grocery prices, and importantly, no new wars. He has accomplished the exact opposite in each of those areas. He began a war with Iran and started by bombing a school, mistake or not, killing innocent children. This after declaring war on immigrants here at home using his ICE Gestapo. He apparently thinks if he creates chaos, and then gets things back to close to where they were before he acted, he can claim victory. But even that seems out of his reach. Then there is Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel. His actions have made things worse not only for his enemies, but for Israelis at home, and Jews around the world. He began a war against Iran that he can’t win. He has committed war crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza, and the West Bank, and by his actions brought out more anti-Semitism around the world. For me personally, he has made it more difficult to explain to people when I say I am a Zionist, it means I support the existence of the State of Israel, not its war criminal leader, and his government. He should have heeded what President Biden said to him after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. While retribution and getting back the hostages Hamas took was crucial, Biden counseled not to go overboard in response, like the United States did after 9/11. Instead, Netanyahu has killed thousands of Palestinian women and children, and has not made Israel much safer. He then began the war with Iran, and sent troops to fight in Lebanon. Yes, the Iranian government funds Hezbollah and Hamas, but one must ask if anything is better after Netanyahu’s actions. Israelis continue living in a state of active war. Then there is Putin in Russia. He believed he could attack Ukraine and walk away with pieces of their country, maybe even all of it. Instead, he has Russia embroiled in a four-year war, killing thousands of Ukrainians, including many women and children, destroying parts of their country, and losing thousands of his own troops in a war he can’t win. His own people are suffering, and now, four years later, Ukraine has shown it still has the ability to attack Moscow. All three of these men have managed to show the weaknesses of their own countries. In his effort to bluster through his many failures, Trump has destroyed relationships with our allies. It will take years, if ever, for them to trust the United States again. He invaded Venezuela and stole their oil, is starving Cuba, and created unease with Canada and Mexico on our own borders. He thinks this makes him look like a strongman, when it really shows all of his weaknesses. People should remember the treaty he abrogated with Canada and Mexico, was one he negotiated in his first term. Now he invites Chinese President, Xi, to the United States, and gives him the same red-carpet welcome he previously gave to Putin in Alaska, and in both cases, received nothing in return. He tries to keep the press he doesn’t like from having access to him. All three are facing crucial elections that could severely impact their futures. Only Putin, a true dictator, is assured of winning because he controls the process. Trump is trying to emulate him, to keep from losing the Nov. 3, mid-term elections. Thankfully the courts are trying to stop him. Netanyahu could face being thrown out on Oct. 27, if Israelis do the right thing. Again, I truly believe putting the three of them in a jail cell together would make our troubled world a little safer, and a much better place. 2 2 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • OCTOBER 09 , 2 0 2 6 • V I E WP O I NT
Takoma Wellness Center wins Best Cannabis Dispensary in DC for the 11th year in a row
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Bar Betsie, inviting and intimate, marks one-year anniversary Jane Jane’s ‘grittier, edgier’ sister is a vibe in Union Market By EVAN CAPLAN
Not that a basic vodka-soda should ever dare to appear in print on the craft cocktail list at year-old Bar Betsie, but if it did, its name would be written in big black block letters, back-lit, on a marquee behind the 14-seat bar, with its ingredients – Tito’s, seltzer water – sitting visible on a shelf above. Inviting and intimate, and with that arresting visual representation of cocktail ingredients along the wall, Bar Betsie has brought its vibes-forward approach to a dynamic corner of bustling Union Market. The sophomore effort from owners JP Sabatier, Ralph Brabham, and Drew Porterfield, the trio took a different tack at Bar Betsie than at their other, older (though not by much) 14th Street bar, Jane Jane. Bar Betsie allowed Sabatier, Brabham, and Porterfield to expand their creativity. The three first connected several years ago, when JP was manager of Maydan and Brabham and Porterfield owned Beau Thai and BKK Cookshop. Immediately hitting it off, they dreamed of opening a bar together and in 2021, it became a reality, in the form of Jane Jane. Featuring a short list of craft, rotating cocktails and shareable bar snacks, Bar Betsie is Jane Jane’s “grittier, edgier” sister. While Jane is named after Porterfield’s mother, Bar Betsie gets its moniker from Sabatier’s mom. “While Jane Jane is going on a field trip, Bar Betsie feels like you’re skipping school,” says Brabham. Bar Betsie brings more of a party vibe, he says. They landed in the Union Market neighborhood after thinking through what a second bar might feel like: not a carbon copy, but an atmosphere unique to its physical space and surroundings. Union Market and its transitional nature translates to the bar’s interiors: its mood lighting regardless of time of day, the crushed-velvet booths, the blood-red curved curtains to the bathrooms and kitchen, and the air of timeless mystique contrast to the elevated, buttoned-up cocktail bar that is Jane Jane. No one would bat an eye if a cabaret broke out on top of the bar. When in Bar Betsie, they say, it’s as if the warm lighting cuts through the vibe (and the stories) of 50-year-old cigarette smoke in the air. They decided to make the cocktail menu more concise: 12 to 15 signature drinks at a time. Tequila and mezcal lead the program (again, a nod to mom Betsie, who prefers agave-based liquors). Drinks rotate seasonally (a cocktail flip is happening this month) and are developed committee-style to ensure that the whole team has input. The Clover Cult has been especially popular, with bluecoat gin, raspberry, vermouth, and lemon, but passed through a high-speed blender that whips the drink into a frenzy: it’s a “yummy, sweet cocktail with foam with a beautiful pink color,” says Brabham. Beers feature locally brewed options, like from DC Brau and Atlas, alongside a wine program featuring skin-contact wines. And hewing to that party-forward vibe, there’s a host of shooters like the blackberry firing squad with tequila and lime. As for the food, Bar Betsie has a true kitchen, allowing Sabatier to stretch his cheffy wings (he attended the Culinary Institute of America). Bar snacks are plentiful, including Buffalo chicken dip, a giant pretzel with beer cheese, and chicken tinga nachos that are “fucking delicious” says Raplh. “We’re aiming for food that’s snacky, salty, crunchy, and tasty to pair with the drinks.” Guest chefs show up on Sundays for kitchen cameos. Since opening Bar Betsie, the trio has welcomed some additional acclaim. They’ve begun to set up activations with other bars; last month, they held a pop-up at new cocktail den Frank’s Wild Years, and there’s an upcoming collaboration with Death &Co, the famed bar in Blagden. Bar Betsie occupies a unique place in the city’s pantheon of drinking destinations. All three owners are gay, and yet this (like Jane Jane) is not a gay bar. “We never hide who we are,” say Brabham and Porterfield. “There’s always the recognition of the community we come from, and love, and want to celebrate.” They want people to know who they are and what they stand for, showing that by being inclusive and open in their support of the community. They work to ensure that the staff is diverse and inclusive as well. They also dropped an exclusive Easter egg: behind the medicine-cabinet mirrors in the bathroom is a video screen playing footage of drag queens either getting ready, fixing, or removing makeup and wigs. “It’s a little IYKYK moment, something fun and true to who we are as a queer-celebrating and owned space,” they say. 2 4 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • OCTOBER 09 , 2 0 2 6
RALPH BRABHAM, DREW PORTERFIELD, and JP SABATIER are owners of Bar Betsie. (Photo by Scott Suchman)
(Photos by Rey Lopez)
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CALENDAR |
By TINASHE CHINGARANDE
Friday, October 09 GoGay DC will host “Out in DC LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, October 10 GoGay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite. “Nellie’s DC Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. Come get served like a queen by a queen. Join Sapphire Blue, Deja Diamond and their team of amazing drag performers for the most fun you’ll have all weekend. Tickets cost $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite.
OUT & ABOUT CAMP Rehoboth Block Party returns Oct. 18 CAMP Rehoboth will host its annual Block Party celebration on Sunday, Oct.18 at 11 a.m. on the second block of Baltimore Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach. CAMP Rehoboth invites all community members to join in the festivities and to expect magnificent performances and dozens of vendors, including artists, craftspeople, non-profits, businesses, and more. The event started in 2015 in celebration of CAMP Rehoboth’s 25th anniversary. This year, attendees can expect to shop sea glass art, pottery, jewelry, Pride merch, body care, clothing, and learn more about local non-profit causes and businesses. Attendance is free. For more details, visit CAMP Rehoboth’s website.
Sunday, October 11 Spark Coffee Club will be at 12 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a laid-back daytime hangout built entirely around making new connections. Whether you’re new to the city, new to the community, or just looking to expand your social circle, this is an easy, low-pressure way to spark up a conversation with the person next to you. Come solo or with a friend — you never know who you might meet. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Tuesday, October 13 Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email info@thedccenter.org. Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Wednesday, October 14 Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email centercareers@thedccenter.org or visit www.thedccenter.org/careers. The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “Movement for Healing” at 3 p.m. This trauma- and yoga therapy–informed class is designed to help guests gently reconnect with their body and their breath. Through mindful movement, somatic awareness, and grounding practices, guests will explore how to release tension, increase mobility, and cultivate a deeper sense of safety and ease within. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, October 15 The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email supportdesk@thedccenter.org or call 202-682-2245.
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CAMP Rehoboth’s annual Block Party returns next weekend. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
A MOVING NEW MUSICAL ABOUT QUEER IDENTITY AND THE LIFE-SAVING POWER OF ART
In 1996, a closeted high school teacher agrees to mentor a student in a theater competition. Their exploration of Angels in America unsettles the small town’s delicate balance, changing both their lives in unexpected ways.
OCTOBER 20 – DECEMBER 20
PRIDE NIGHTS: NOVEMBER 13 & 20
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THEATER
‘Some Like It Hot’ a wild ride at renovated Bernard Family Theatre Exhilarating show brimming with fun, feeling, and focus on gender exploration By PATRICK FOLLIARD
There’s reason to celebrate at Olney Theatre Center. Currently, they’re debuting their renovated Bernard Family Theatre while inaugurating the soaring new space with a regional premiere of “Some Like It Hot,” the musical adaptation of Billy Wilder’s classic 1959 comedy. Toying with this cinematic gem took some cojones, but it works. The film and the Tony Award-winning musical share similar plot lines: After witnessing a mob hit, Chicago musicians Joe and Jerry need to leave town. So, they don dresses, join Sweet Sue and Her Society Syncopators all-female band, and board a train headed for warmer climes (Southern California). As Josephine and Daphne, they experience new slants on romance, gift giving, and the male gaze. It’s funny and illuminating. Helmed by out artistic director Jason Loewith, OTC’s exhilarating production is brimming with fun, feeling, and the musical’s focus on Black identity and gender exploration (recreated for Broadway by writers Matthew López /Amber Ruffin, and songwriting team Marc Schaiman/Scott Whittman). OTC’s Loewith embraces it all while masterfully bringing together big dance numbers, romantic interludes, slapstick, and what’s more, he makes it look easy. It’s 1933, deep in the Great Depression, and no-nonsense bandleader Sweet Sue (the excellent Ashleigh King) sets the speakeasy scene with “What Are You Thirsty For?” (not an unusual inquiry during the Prohibition era). Away from Chicago at San Diego’s glamorous Coronado Hotel, matters become further complicated for Joe (Jacob Tischler) as he pursues the band’s irresistibly unreliable Sugar Kane, sensitively played by the talented Montria Walker. (A
couple of her songs, including “A Darker Shade of Blue,” describe a rural Georgia, Jim Crow backstory.) Meanwhile, Daphne (nonbinary actor Tavis Kordell) is learning a new love language with impish root beer TAVIS KORDELL as Jerry/ fortune heir Osgood Daphne and JACOB TISCHLER Fielding III (terrific out as Joe/Josephine in ‘Some Like It actor Edward Juvier). Hot” at Olney Theatre Center. (Photo by Teresa Castracane) Drinking in a Mexican cantina not far from the hotel, Osgood tenderly serenades Daphne with “Fly, Mariposa, Fly,” a romantic number about metaphorically spreading wings, and transformation. The beloved’s powerful reply number “You Coulda Knocked Me Over with a Feather” is filled with emotional revelation. In its examination of gender fluidity and self-discovery, the musical isn’t an indoctrination. Instead, audiences accept what’s happening on stage, and soon they’re seduced and painlessly invested in the characters’ wellbeing. Frank Labovitz’s intelligent costume design is brimming with storytelling. Joe and Jerry’s quick change from guys to girls isn’t flashy — at first. It’s all drab colors, modest hem lengths…street clothes pulled from the Great Depression. Later it’s showbiz silver sequins. An adept and marvelous actor, Tishler does double duty as the straight and funny man. Even when dolled up for gigs,
FILM
Essential queer horror classics for Halloween
his Josephine destroys the look with men’s black socks, the dowdy wig, and cockeyed glasses, hilariously setting up a running gag of how Joe, as Josephine, looks so much older than the other girls in the band. For “Some Like It Hot,” Karla Puno Garcia’s wide-ranging choreography style ranges from those early 1930s flapper flicks (think the young manic Joan Crawford) to something more elegant, Joe and Sugar dancing à la Fred and Ginger in the show’s dreamy number “Let’s Dance the World Away.” Another highlight is the second act’s penultimate number “Tip Top Trouble,” a wild but meticulously staged, gloriously gender bending, sixteen-person, cops and robbers chase sequence. Top notch music director Christopher Youstra reliably delivers Marc Shaiman’s swinging, 1920s and 30s-inspired score played by a mostly hidden 10-piece band and mimed onstage by Sue’s lively Syncopators. And in meeting the specialness of the challenge, scenic designer Ryan Douglass transforms the newly renovated theater into a good club setting featuring a colorful inlaid thrust stage surrounded by cabaret tables where just several short yards ahead of Row C, a contented couple is served a bottle of Champagne while settling in before the show starts. Today, the Bernard Family Theatre with its raftered ceiling and industrial vibe suggests past and promise for the future. For now, experience the revamped wild ride in a wonderfully redone space. ‘Some Like It Hot’ Through Nov. 8 | Olney Theatre Center 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd. | Olney, Md. | Olneytheatre.org DAVID BOWIE and CATHERINE DENEUVE in ‘The Hunger.’ (Image courtesy of MGM)
‘Bride of Frankenstein,’ Bowie in ‘The Hunger,’ and more By JOHN PAUL KING
Sure, this spooky season has blessed us with a lot of new horror on TV and at the movies, but when it comes to Halloween, you can never have too much horror to watch. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of celebrated queer chillers that queer horror fans may know about but might not have seen, especially if you’re part of a younger generation of movie buffs looking to expand your experience with the genre beyond the contemporary crop that has turned the early 2000s into a renaissance of horror cinema. Bride of Frankenstein (1935) Yes, we know subtextualized queerness in horror feels like a cop-out in this day and age, but in the early days of Hollywood, it was the only way to sneak it past the censors – and that’s exactly what English expat director James Whale did as a defining force behind the success of Universal Studios’s classic horror “franchise” of the 1930s. More-or-less openly gay with a background in theater, he put those sensibilities to good use on film, and reached his queer pinnacle with “Bride of Frankenstein,” a sequel that expanded on the original with a wicked sense of humor and a “lavender” touch that was obvious to anyone who was in the know. Skewering “monster movie” tropes and satirizing the conventional mentality of all those angry villagers, Whale also delivered a story of two men – Doctors Frankenstein and Pretorius (Colin Clive and Ernest Thesiger, respectively) – whose clandestine efforts to create a mate for Boris Karloff’s lonely monster read like
a gay couple drawn together by “unnatural” obsessions. Thesiger’s unapologetically queer persona would likely dominate the entire film if not for Elsa Lanchester’s turn as the hissing, electrified title character, but the film’s true greatness lies in transforming Karloff’s “monster” into a full-fledged tragic hero, a primal avatar for “otherness” that emerges as the most sympathetic figure on the screen; and while it might not be that “scary” by modern standards, as one of the most boldly transgressive films of the Hollywood “golden era” it still packs a wickedly savage punch. The Haunting (1963) Based on Shirley Jackson’s novel of the same name and helmed by veteran director Robert Wise in the wake of his Oscar-winning screen adaptation of “West Side Story,” “The Haunting” is a film that looms large in the history of queer representation in American cinema, simply for the fact that it included an openly lesbian character during a time when anything beyond a subtle implication of non-heterosexual alignment was still very much considered taboo. The character in question is a psychic named Theodora (Claire Bloom), one of a group of individuals invited by a paranormal researcher (Richard Johnson) to investigate an old New England house, which is reputed to be haunted in the wake of a long string of tragedies that have befallen the family that owns it. Although she’s something of a thorny personality, she’s framed as neither villain not victim, but her presence provides queer overtones that impact the rest of the story, particularly through the growing psychological agitation of its painfully repressed
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central character (Julie Harris) and the history of the house itself. A classic “old, dark house” ghost story that deliberately avoids depicting anything definitively supernatural, it focuses instead on psychological tension and the power of suggestion to ramp up scares, which it does quite effectively, utilizing innovative camera and sound techniques to suggest, but never reveal, the dark forces that drive the story. Audiences of the time wanted more concrete thrills, so it was not a major hit; nevertheless, it has been consistently ranked as one of the best horror films of all time – and while it might not offer the blood-curdling terror modern viewers expect, its moody sense of dread and doom is enough to keep you on edge for the duration. The Hunger (1983) It’s hard to think of a horror film as openly sexy as this classic from director Tony Scott, which turns Whitley Streiber’s book about an ancient vampire (Catherine Deneuve) in modern New York, who grooms a scientist (Susan Sarandon) to be her new sexual companion for the ages as the old one (David Bowie) begins to rapidly age and decline. CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
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BOOKS
In ‘The Lost Brontë,’ a complicated lie can lead to danger New book features sweetly romantic girl-meets-girl twist By TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER
Mom always said to tell the truth. One lie leads to another and another and you have to remember them all until pretty soon, you’re caught. Fibs are hard, mistruths are messy, even little white social lies can destroy trust. Worst of all, as in the new novel, “The Lost Brontë” by Catherine Friend, a complicated lie can lead to danger. Though Lilianne Loxley was very young when she lost her parents, she understood that her uncle didn’t really want her. As time passed, though, Lily made herself useful to Uncle, writing and signing letters for him and she became a good companion, helping him with his collection of Brontë memorabilia. Uncle was a keen enthusiast. She had no idea that his obsession was out of control and he was deeply in arrears. The day Lily learned of his debt was the day she learned that he’d agreed to send her to his debtor’s home to work off the money owed. It was so sudden. One minute, Lily was at Loxley House, happy and loved by Uncle’s staff … and five hours later, she was at Crag Thorn Manor, home of Lord Bexton, who informed her that she’d be working on his ledgers - work that seemed routine, but Lily tackled it. Uncle always did say she was headstrong. But would headstrong be enough to survive, when she was restricted from most of the Manor, when she was forced to dine with Brexton and his slimy friend, or – the worst! - when Brexton told Lily that her next task was to forge a letter from Emily Brontë? And then an entire ma-
“A NOVEL THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SET DOWN.ˮ
nuscript? Lily struggled to do what was right. She had to get Uncle out of debt but this last order horrified her. Did she dare refuse Brexton’s orders and commit a crime? It was unthinkable! The only brightness in the whole situation was Wren, the ladies’ maid assigned to Lily’s room. Wren was adorable with freckles and the sweetest smile. But with everything else happening at Crag Thorn Manner, could Lily act upon her feelings? This time of year, you may come to crave dark, spooky stories, and “The Last Brontë” fits those needs perfectly with its Gothic deliciousness. Think: Daphne du Maurier-type, stormy-night squirms with a dangerously chaste, sweetly romantic girl-meets-girl twist for fun. If it’s been awhile since you’ve read a Gothic novel, you’re in for a nice reminder of why you love them here. You can almost tick off the must-haves: a novel like this is nothing without a foreboding stone manor with damp walls; stone steps to a dank basement; a mysterious portrait; and a nearby bog, and author Catherine Friend gives readers every one of them. You’d be disappointed if there was no ghost, wouldn’t you? Ha. You can practically feel the cold blow through the attic, right? Yeah, it’s that kind of book. If you’re a fan of the Brontës, you’ll like this novel. If you love Gothic mysteries or Victorian romances, ditto. “The Lost Brontë” is good, no lie.
SCAN TO BUY
— AMAZON REVIEW
Raised to be straight, a Southern man flees his own truth—straight into the arms of a gay lover.
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‘The Lost Brontë’
By Catherine Friend | c.2026, Bywater Books $22.95 | 335 pages
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Winchester Pride
Annual LGBTQ celebration held at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The 2026 Winchester Pride Festival was held at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, Va. on Saturday, Oct. 3.
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REAL ESTATE
The financial realities facing LGBTQ+ first-time buyers Beyond affordability: credit, support systems, and trust By DEVIN SCHAFF
For many first-time buyers, the conversation starts with affordability: home prices, interest rates, monthly payments, and the down payment. Yet these initial figures represent only part of the picture. For LGBTQ+ first-time buyers, credit history, access to financial support, household structure, and whether the professionals involved feel trustworthy can also shape the path to homeownership. While these hurdles affect various demographics and show up differently for everyone, they often create friction long before an offer is submitted. Affordability Is Only the First Filter A buyer may be able to handle a monthly mortgage payment and still struggle to qualify for the loan they expected. Loan approval hinges on a holistic review that goes far beyond basic income. Lenders generally consider credit history, debt obligations, available cash, employment and income documentation, and the buyer’s overall financial profile. That distinction matters for first-time buyers who have spent years paying rent successfully but have a limited credit file, uneven credit history, student loan balances, or other debt. Even renters with flawless track records of managing monthly payments can run into unexpected hurdles when a lender applies standard underwriting criteria. Early preparation can help. By auditing credit reports, resolving discrepancies, tackling existing debt, accumulating savings, and engaging early with a certified loan officer, buyers can catch and fix vulnerabilities before they derail a deal. Support Systems Can Change What Is Possible Homebuying advice often assumes that first-time buyers have access to a familiar financial safety net: parents who can help with a down payment, relatives who can provide a gift, or
family members who can explain the process because they have purchased homes before. That support is not universal. Some LGBTQ+ buyers have strong financial and emotional support from their families of origin. Others turn to partners, close friends, trusted mentors, or chosen family for backing, while some navigate the entire venture independently. The important point is not to assume what a buyer’s support system looks like. The difference can be practical. When family assistance isn’t an option, buyers often need more time to build reserves. They may rely heavily on down-payment assistance programs or specialized loan options offered by their lender. A buyer receiving gift funds may need to understand documentation requirements before using those funds. Support also includes knowledge. Those raised around property owners often enter the process with a baseline understanding of key mechanics like earnest money, home inspections, appraisals, closing fees, and mortgage terminology. A first-generation buyer may be learning it all at once. Lacking that foundational awareness can lead to costly mistakes surrounding critical deadlines, hidden fees, and contractual obligations. Household Structure Deserves Careful Planning LGBTQ+ buyers may purchase alone, with a spouse, with an unmarried partner, or in another shared household arrangement. These varying arrangements change the game for mortgage applications, combined credit assessments, titling methods, and the division of ongoing home equity. Those decisions deserve deliberate attention. Because two co-buyers may have vastly different credit standings, putting both names on a mortgage application isn’t always the best
Let’s craft your future, together At Wealth Enhancement, we believe great financial advice starts with great relationships. We take the time to understand what matters most to you, your goals, and your vision for the future, then develop comprehensive strategies to help you build, preserve, and transfer wealth. As life evolves, your plan evolves with it, and we’re there to help guide you every step of the way.
Schedule a conversation with Lynne, and let’s build your financial future, together.
Lynne Celia
MBA, CFP®, Financial Advisor
703-584-2700
lcelia@wealthenhancement.com Advisory services offered through Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, a registered investment advisor and affiliate of Wealth Enhancement Group®. AM 2026-13651 8/2026
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For many first-time buyers, the conversation starts with affordability but that only represents part of the picture.
route. Mortgage responsibility and legal ownership are related, but not identical. A first-time buyer should be able to ask these questions without feeling awkward about explaining a relationship, correcting assumptions, or wondering whether a professional understands the household in front of them. If legal or tax complications surface, buyers should seek tailored advice from an independent professional. Trust Is a Financial Issue, Too Trust can sound like a “soft” consideration compared with a credit score or closing-cost estimate. In reality, it directly shapes strategic financial choices at every stage of the transaction. A buyer who doesn’t feel comfortable with an agent or lender may hesitate to disclose concerns, ask basic questions, or admit they don’t understand a term. They might hold back on detailing how they plan to co-own a home with a partner, or unquestioningly agree to costs without fully grasping the long-term impact. CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
Devin Schaff is co-founder of Pride Real Estate Connections.
1976 Studio Sale
November 7 9 am - Noon
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Join us for 5 weeks of Oktoberfest, starting September 19th! Festbier and Märzen on tap in the proper Maß, alongside our German and Austrian wine list. Bavarian plates through the season — roast pork knuckle, Wiener Schnitzel, Sauerbraten, wurst from Binkert’s German butcher in Baltimore, warm pretzels with Obatzda. September 19 through October 25, Wednesday through Sunday. No cover. The Biergarten sits under full-size Biergarten umbrellas — good for sun or a shower — with the dining room inside when the evening turns cool. SUNDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY: 2-10PM | FRIDAY - SATURDAY: 2-11PM | CLOSED MONDAYS & TUESDAYS
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“BRIAN COX IS MAGNIFICENT.” —The Telegraph
BRIAN COX IN
THEATRE ROYAL BATH’S PRODUCTION OF
THE SCORE OLIVER COTTON DIRECTED BY TREVOR NUNN BY
EXTENDED—SEP 11–OCT 25 HARMAN HALL With Leadership Support From: Daniel W. Hamilton
ORDER TODAY ShakespeareTheatre.org | 202.547.1122 Brian Cox for The Score. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
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