HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Roundup of Christmas events and LGBT-afrming church services. PAGES 32 & 36 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 1 3 V O L U M E 4 4 I S S U E 5 1 O U R C O M M U N I T Y, O U R S T O R I E S S I N C E 1 9 6 9 W A S H I N G T O N B L A D E . C O M

Obama, Biden to skip Russian Olympics

Billie Jean King tapped to attend opening ceremony
By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com Amid concerns over the anti-gay climate in Russia, the White House announced this week the U.S. delegation to the Winter Olympics in Sochi wouldnt include the Obama or the Biden families, but instead two accomplished members of the LGBT community. Billie Jean King, a member of the Presidents Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, was tapped as one of ve members of the delegation for the opening ceremony. For the closing ceremony, lesbian ice hockey Olympian Caitlin Cahow, was named as part of the ve-member delegation. In the announcement on Tuesday, no member of the rst or second families was named as part of the delegation
CONTINUES ON PAGE 15 BILLIE JEAN KING will be part of the U.S. delegation to the Sochi Olympics.

Police list vandalism of Blade boxes as suspected hate crime

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com D.C. police last week opened an ofcial investigation into newly discovered damage to at least four distribution boxes belonging to the Washington Blade and Metro Weekly, according to a police report led on Dec. 11. The publishers of both publications have said their respective distribution boxes have been subjected to an ongoing series of incidents over the past two years in which many of them have been soiled with human excrement and emptied of all of the papers in an apparent attempt to prevent readers from obtaining them. The police report says that four boxes belonging to the Blade or Metro Weekly were found on Dec. 11 to be vandalized by someone who used spray paint to write the world PIG on the boxes. The report lists the incidents as an offense of defacing public or private property and classies the offense as a suspected anti-gay hate crime. According to the report, at least one of the vandalized boxes is located at 18th and T St., N.W. However, Blade editor Kevin Naff said an ofcer with the departments Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit told him at least two other Blade boxes associated with this incident were found to be defaced one at 16th and Q St., N.W. and the other at 17th and R St., N.W.
CONTINUES ON PAGE 14

DAY OF RAGE
Demonstrators from D.C. to Delhi protest Indias sodomy ruling.
PAGE 12

LAST CHANCE
Did you procrastinate? No worries, local shops have last-minute gifts.
PAGE 23

HOLIDAY FILMS
A look at the best of the seasons upcoming movies.
PAGE 29

02 DECEMBER 20, 2013

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

Questions about the new health insurance options? Need help understanding the Affordable Care Act?

We can help!
Whitman-Walker Health can help you enroll in DC Health Link, the new online health insurance marketplace! And we can help you decide which insurance option is the best for you! Whether you become our patient or not, Whitman-Walker Health is here to help you get the best health care options available. Call 202.745.6151 to speak with our Navigators.

Hannah York
Navigator

202.745.7000 | whitman-walker.org | #yourhomefor #

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PHARMACY DENTAL CARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NUTRITION SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DECEMBER 20, 2013 03

Keep your promise to protect each other.

Wills & Trusts Powers of Attorney Living Wills Partnership & Prenuptial Agreements

(240) 778-2330 (703) 536-0220 www.PartnerPlanning.com

Serving the LGBT Community in DC/MD/VA since 1983

Lawrence S. Jacobs/McMillan Metro, PC

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY FOR 31 YEARS

A DV I C E M E D I AT I O N L I T I G AT I O N A P P E A L S C O L L A B O R AT I O N

FAMILY | ESTATE PLANNING | EMPLOYMENT | IMMIGRATION COMPLEX LITIGATION | CIVIL RIGHTS | LGBT | ADOPTION | BUSINESS

Silber, Perlman, Sigman &Tilev, P .A.

AT TO R N E YS AT L AW D C | M D | VA

7 0 0 0 C A R R O L L AV E N U E S U I T E 2 0 0 TA K O M A PA R K M D

3 0 1 . 8 9 1 . 2 2 0 0 S P - L aw. C o m

ISSUE DATE: 10.26.12

NS GN EVISIONS /LOGO REVISIONS SIONS

Steve Weinberg
ATTORNEY AT LAW
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY FOR 32 YEARS

ADVERTISING

PROOF

SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS (bpitts@washblade.com)

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

ADVERTISER SIGNATURE

By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, payment and insertion schedule.

PERSONAL INJURY PROBATE WILLS/ POAs CIVIL LITIGATION CONSERVATORSHIPS GUARDIANSHIPS

202-861-0077

2141 P STREET NW SUITE 103 WASHINGTON DC 20037 E-MAIL steveweinbergdc@aol.com

LICENSED IN DC, MD AND VA

washingtonblade.com 04 DECEMBER 20, 2013

rights for gay and lesbian Americans among conservatives, libertarians, and members of the GOP is more prevalent than one might think, Lampo said in the statement. Embracing equality for gays and lesbians is in line with the history of the Republican Party, he said. I can think of no better group to share this message with than the RNC and all GOP members of Congress. According to Gregory Angelo, executive director of both Liberty Education Forum and Log Cabin Republicans, the books will be accompanied by a Dear Colleague cover letter written by gay RNC Committeeman Bob Kabel. As a gay member of the Reagan administration and the rst openly gay Party Chairman and now Committeeman on the RNC, I felt it was important to let my fellow members of the RNC know that you can be both a strong Republican and a supporter of equal rights for gay Americans, Kabel said. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

LOCAL NEWS

D.C. Council member and mayoral candidate JACK EVANS (D-Ward 2) performed his rst same-sex marriage on Dec. 14.
PHOTO COURTESY OF EVANS

GREGORY CENDANA
WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

Evans performs same-sex wedding

D.C. Council member and mayoral candidate Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) performed his rst same-sex marriage on Dec. 14 when he joined Logan Circle residents John Lazar and J. Edward Jarvis at a ceremony at the couples home. Evans performed the ceremony under authority given to him by the D.C. Marriage Ofciant Act of 2013, which, among other things, empowers the mayor and all 13 City Council members to perform marriages in the District of Columbia. We are honored to have Jack ofciate at our marriage, and its so appropriate since he has been politically supportive of our community for 22 years, Lazar said in a statement. Lazar told the Blade that he and Jarvis met and began a relationship in 1993 in New York City where the two lived at the time and have been a couple ever since. Lazar currently serves as senior vice president of the American Cancer Societys Mid-Atlantic Region. Jarvis is an executive compensation consultant and principal at Mercer & Company, a D.C. area consulting rm. Ed and I are just thrilled to see this opportunity arise within our own lifetimes, Lazar said. Ten years ago we really didnt think we would see marriage equality and were just delighted. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

New head of Asian-Pacic American coalition

The National Council of Asian-Pacic Americans, a coalition of 31 national organizations, last week elected D.C. LGBT rights advocate Gregory Cendana as its new chair, making him the organizations rst Filipino and rst openly gay chair. Cendana is the executive director of the D.C.-based Asian Pacic American Labor Alliance of the AFL-CIO. In his role as chair of the NCAPA, Cendana will assist the organization in its efforts to represent the interests of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacic Islander communities and to provide a national voice on policy issues and priorities, according to a statement released by the organization. In 2012, Cendana won election as an Obama delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He was part of a delegation of Asian-Pacic American leaders that met with President Obama earlier this year at the White House. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

Casa Ruby proled in Georgetown Law report

The Community Justice Project of the Georgetown University Law Center released a 42-page report last week that assesses the needs of the D.C. transgender community and proposes a plan for Casa Ruby to address those needs. Casa Ruby: A Strategic Plan for Serving the Transgender Community in Washington, D.C. concludes that the most important service currently offered by Casa Ruby is its community center. The mere existence of a transgender center has a positive psychological effect on D.C.s transgender community, the report says. Casa Ruby is a multicultural community center and safe space serving transgender, gender queer, and gender nonconforming individuals in Washington, D.C. Among other things, the report identies key needs of the local transgender community as access to affordable and culturally competent health care; assistance in obtaining employment and getting out of underground economies; assistance overcoming discrimination in housing, medical and legal services, and employment; and increased personal safety and an improved relationship with the police. The report outlines steps that Casa Ruby can take to expand its current services to meet the needs identied in the report through a plan for strategic growth. Ruby Corado, founder and executive director of Casa Ruby, has said the organization is already carrying out some of the programs and services suggested in the report.

GOP lawmakers to receive gay Christmas present

The Liberty Education Forum, an organization that advocates for acceptance of gays among conservatives and people of faith, plans to deliver a Christmas present to each Republican member of Congress and all members of the Republican National Committee. A statement released by the group says the present will be a copy of the 2012 book, A Fundamental Freedom: Why Republicans, Conservatives, and Libertarians Should Support Gay Rights, by gay libertarian author David Lampo. I wrote A Fundamental Freedom to educate conservatives on gay issues, and to make sure that support for equal

RUBY CORADO, executive director of Casa Ruby, has said the organization is already carrying out some of the programs and services suggested in the Georgetown report.
WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

The report was prepared by Jason Amirhadji, Jessica DeStefano, and Michelle Mirabal, who are identied as

student attorneys from the Georgetown Law Centers Community Justice Project. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

washingtonblade.com 06 DECEMBER 20, 2013 LOCAL NEWS

Ready for Hillary event draws crowd

LGBT supporters to host second event in January at gay club
By LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com More than 450 people, including LGBT activists, turned out for D.C.s rst ofcial rally and fundraiser last Thursday for Ready for Hillary, the independent super PAC formed earlier this year to urge former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to run for president in 2016. As many of the attendees entered Look restaurant and lounge on the 1900 block of K St., N.W., where the event took place, they were greeted by veteran D.C. gay rights and civic activist Phil Pannell, who was among the volunteers stafng a check-in table. Im really excited to be here and excited about Hillary, said Pannell, who is among a growing number of D.C.-area LGBT activists who supported Barack Obama over Clinton in the 2008 presidential race but who are encouraging support from small donors, organizers of the Ready for Hillary rally Thursday night set the admission price at $20.16. Gay Democratic activist Peter Rosenstein, one of Ready for Hillarys early supporters, said that same admission price will be in place for the organizations next event in D.C. that will target a specic LGBT audience. Called Out and Ready for Hillary, the event will take place Jan. 15 at the gay nightclub Town Danceboutique. Among those working on plans for the January event is Lisa Changadveja, Ready for Hillarys LGBT Americans director. Changadvja announced the January event at Town from the stage at the rally Thursday night. In an interview with the Blade in November, Changadveja said she and a corps of volunteers will be setting up Ready for Hillary booths at LGBT Pride events across the country in 2014. Were here to encourage her to run in 2016 because she has the grassroots support behind her and she has the LGBT community behind her if and when she decides to run, Changadveja said. U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), the rst member of Congress to ofcially endorse Clinton for president in 2016, told the gathering Thursday night that he sees support for a Clinton candidacy growing in his home state of Ohio and all parts of the country. What we want this campaign to be is something that ushers in the new era of politics in the United States, that Hillary can break the logjam in Washington, D.C. and move our country forward, he said. And with your help shes going to be able to do that. Among the LGBT activist leaders listed as members of the host committee for the January Ready for Hillary event at Town nightclub are veteran transgender advocate Dana Beyer; gay Democratic National Committee member and Center for Black Equity CEO Earl Fowlkes; gay Democratic activist Lane Hudson; Gertrude Stein Democratic Club Secretary Jimmie Luthuli; and gay restaurant manager and civic activist Dito Sevilla. Rosenstein is also a member of the host committee.

Democratic activist PHIL PANNELL was among the more than 450 Hillary Clinton supporters who turned out last week for a Ready for Hillary event.
WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

enthusiastic Clinton supporters now. Like so many people I know, I want to be a part of this, Pannell said. In keeping with their policy of

D.C. hospital offers expedited HIV testing

Patients can learn status within two weeks of contracting virus
By MICHAEL K. LAVERS mlavers@washblade.com A Southeast Washington hospital has begun to offer its patients a test that allows them to know their HIV status within two weeks of contracting the virus. United Medical Center last month began offering expedited testing to its patients after securing a grant from Gilead Sciences HIV Focus Program that allowed it to install a machine to conduct the early screenings. The biotechnology company has also partnered with Whitman-Walker Health, Providence Hospital, Unity Health Care and Family and Medical Counseling Services through the D.C. Human Service Administration to further expand HIV testing in the nations capital. Its our best chance of arresting infection, reducing transmission and preserving peoples immune function, Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick, medical director for United Medical Centers Infectious Diseases Care Center, told the Washington Blade during a Dec. 12 interview. The problem with nding them early though is making sure the technology is accessible to people so we can identify them early. Fitzpatrick noted to the Blade those with HIV can have as many as 2 million copies of the virus when they rst become infected because it replicates out of control. People living with HIV typically have 200,000 copies of the virus or less when they test positive. Traditional HIV screenings blood tests and rapid tests only detect HIV antibodies two to three months after infection. A person who gets tested before that window will see a negative result. If you feel ne for up to three months, you could still be having sex with people but youre really infectious, said Fitzpatrick. You dont even know it. Fitzpatrick added the machine has already detected three people with early infection and high viral loads since United Medical Center installed it. Imagine if we had a broad enough campaign where people knew about it and they knew that they were in a position where they could have placed themselves at risk, she said. They can come and see us if they have those u-like symptoms. A 26-year-old gay Southeast D.C. man who asked the Blade to remain anonymous tested positive for HIV at United Medical Center on Dec. 1. He said he had what he described as ulike symptoms for about a week before he learned his status on World AIDS Day, which is also his birthday. The man told the Blade he feels he became infected at some point in late October. I was a little surprised because I had just tested negative, he said during an interview at United Medical Center after he met with Fitzpatrick. I knew it was a possibility because of the type of sex that I had engaged in. The D.C. Department of Healths HIV/ AIDS, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Disease and Tuberculosis Administrations annual epidemiology report shows 15,056 people in the nations capital or 2.4 percent of Washingtonians were living with HIV at the end of 2011. 5.4 percent of black men in D.C. had the virus during the same period, compared to only 1.1 percent of white men in Washington. Men who have sex with men and heterosexual contact were the two leading modes of transmission among newly diagnosed HIV cases, but the report found they decreased 46 percent from 2007. Nearly a quarter of MSM who took part in a study the D.C. Department of Health released in September said they were previously unaware of their status. HIV rates were higher among men of color, but the study found they were more likely to use condoms with male partners than white men. 80 percent of D.C. residents who learned they were living with the virus in 2011 were linked to care within three months of their diagnosis. Given the complexity and the severe consequences of a condition like AIDS, for us to say that 30 years later we have made the enormous progress that we have made is absolutely phenomenal, said D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray in October during the 27th annual AIDS Walk Washington. Fitzpatricks patient with whom the Blade spoke on Dec. 12 said he has received health insurance, medications and other information about HIV since he learned his status. Im a person living with HIV now, he said. I plan to keep taking my medicines, stay on my regiment, get my viral load down, become undetectable and live what we consider a normal life. Im looking forward to all of that. Fitzpatrick added early HIV testing and immediately linking those who test positive into care remains an essential element to combating the epidemic. HIV needs to get integrated into our conversations about health and wellness and chronic diseases, she told the Blade. We still have so much to do.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DECEMBER 20, 2013 07

washingtonblade.com 08 DECEMBER 20, 2013 NATIONAL NEWS

Social Security to process couples benets

EMILYs List on Dec. 13 announced it would encourage its members to contribute to HEATHER MIZEURs Maryland gubernatorial campaign.
WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

Claims from those in non-marriage states placed on hold

By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com The Obama administration this week announced the latest new policy in the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling against the Defense of Marriage Act: the Social Security Administration will now begin processing survivors benets for certain married same-sex couples. Carolyn Colvin, acting commissioner of Social Security, said in a statement that benets will begin to ow to the surviving spouses of same-sex marriages at least in some cases in the same way they ow to survivors of oppositesex marriages. I am pleased to announce that, effective today, Social Security is processing some widows and widowers claims by surviving members of samesex marriages and paying benets where they are due, Colvin said. In addition, we are able to pay some onetime lump sum death benet claims to surviving same-sex spouses. In August, the Social Security Administration announced a similar policy on new benets for same-sex couples in the aftermath of the court ruling on DOMA. But the announcement months ago pertained to retirement benets, unlike the announcement Monday regarding survivor benets. But theres a caveat to the new policy for a survivor of a same-sex marriage if both individuals in the relationship moved to a non-marriage equality state. Claims for survivor benets or the one-time lump sum death benet for those in this situation will be placed on hold, according to a Program Operations Manual System document accompanying the announcement. Social Security law looks to the state of residence, not the state of celebration, in determining whether a same-sex couple is married. However, according to the guidance, a person in a same-sex marriage living in a non-marriage equality state is eligible for the one-time lump sum death benet if the other person in the relationship died while living in another state that recognizes same-sex marriage. Although the Social Security Administration is placing certain claims on hold, Colvin encourages all individuals who believe they may be eligible for Social

EMILYs List backs Heather Mizeur

WASHINGTON EMILYs List on Dec. 13 announced it would encourage its members to contribute to Maryland gubernatorial candidate Heather Mizeurs campaign Heather Mizeur is a progressive powerhouse who will ght for the rights of Marylands women and working families from day one, said EMILYs List President Stephanie Schriock in a statement. Mizeurs campaign in a Dec. 13 e-mail to supporters described the announcement from the PAC with more than three million members that support pro-choice Democratic women who run for ofce as a game changer. The Montgomery County Democrat represents Silver Spring and Takoma Park in the Maryland House of Delegates. Mizeur, who tapped Rev. Delman Coates of Mount Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton as her running mate last month, could become the countrys rst elected openly gay governor if voters next year elect her to succeed Gov. Martin OMalley. Mizeur earlier this month announced she would accept public campaign funding in the Democratic primary. She is the rst Maryland gubernatorial candidate to use this system since 1994.

Married gay couples are now receiving Social Security benets in the aftermath of the court decision against DOMA.
WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

Texas judge blocks gay partner benets

HOUSTON A Harris County (Texas) judge on Dec. 18 issued a temporary injunction against Texas largest city from extending benets to same-sex spouses of municipal employees. Lone Star Q reported State District Judge Lisa Millards ruling is in response to a lawsuit that Harris County GOP Chair Jared Woodll led on behalf of two men who challenged Houston Mayor Annise Parkers decision to extend benets to same-sex partners of city employees who legally married in other jurisdictions. A hearing on the issue is scheduled to take place on Jan. 6. The city will seek its immediate reversal, Parkers spokesperson, Janice Evans-Davis, told Lone Star Q upon learning of Millards ruling.

Fire Island theater restoration receives boost

CHERRY GROVE, N.Y. A group that seeks to restore a historic Fire Island community center and theater has received a $334,863 grant from the New York State Regional Economic Development Council. The Cherry Grove Community Association said in a Dec. 16 press release that Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the grant earlier this month along with 799 others to fund projects throughout the Empire State. CGCAI President Diane Romano said that Cherry Grove residents have raised nearly $600,000 to restore the Community House that dates back to the 1940s. We are thrilled about this grant and very grateful to all who helped make it a reality, said Romano. This grant now ensures that our work will be complete. The Community House is among the rst venues in the country that featured gay-produced shows and performances. The National Park Service earlier this year placed the structure onto the National Register of Historic Places. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) wrote in a May 9 letter to the head of the National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program that the Community House represents a rare and exceptionally signicant chapter in the struggle for gay and lesbian civil rights in the United States.

Security to apply now to protect against the loss of any potential benets, saying the agency will process these benets upon further instructions. The hold on survivor benets claims from gay couples in non-marriage equality states is similar to current policy for retirement spousal benets. Claims for retirement benets from married gay couples in these states are still being placed on hold. The Obama administration has yet to articulate whether itll be able to process these claims in the aftermath of the court ruling against DOMA or if more legislative action is necessary. Michael Cole-Schwartz, spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, said the announcement is welcome news, but acknowledged more action is necessary to provide appropriate benets for same-sex couples. This is welcome news from the Social Security Administration but as they point out, this is not the end of the road in applying the Windsor decision to benets owed to same-sex couples, Cole-Schwartz said. We look forward to continuing our work with them to ensure that as many benets as possible are made available to couples expeditiously. In the statement, Colvin said her agency will continue to work with the Justice Department to resolve legal issues for married same-sex couples in the aftermath of the court ruling against DOMA. As I stated shortly after the Supreme Court decision on Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, our goal is to treat all Americans with dignity and respect, Colvin said. We ask for continued patience from the public as we work closely with the Department of Justice to develop policies that are legally sound so we can process claims.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DECEMBER 20, 2013 09

Laverne Cox
Opening Keynote Speaker Thursday, January 30, 2014 8:00 PM

washingtonblade.com 10 DECEMBER 20, 2013 NATIONAL NEWS

Groups link Utah polygamy ruling to gay marriage

NOM, FRC blame LGBT advocates for opening path to bigamy, incest
By LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com Two of the nations leading anti-LGBT groups the National Organization for Marriage and the Family Research Council said a decision by a federal judge in Utah last week overturning part of the states law banning polygamy was made possible by earlier court rulings supportive of same-sex marriage. An ofcial with the marriage equality group Freedom to Marry disputed that assertion, saying the Utah ruling was limited to the right of people to choose personal living arrangements unrelated to marriage. But statements by NOM and FRC linking the Utah ruling to same-sex marriage were reported widely in the media, with cable news outlets inviting FRC President Tony Perkins to appear on news programs to express his views on the issue. Judge Clark Waddoups of the U.S. District Court of Utah ruled on Dec. 13 that a section of Utahs anti-polygamy law that prohibits cohabitation violates the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment guarantee of freedom of religion as well as the Constitutions due process clause. Waddoups ruling left in place the antipolygamy laws provisions prohibiting someone from obtaining two or more valid marriage licenses to marry more than one person. In a statement released by the National Organization for Marriage, the groups president, Brian Brown, called Waddoups ruling the rst step in an effort by polygamists to bring a test case to the Supreme Court to obtain legal recognition of plural marriages. Theres no doubt that the arguments for same-sex marriage were a template for this case, Brown said. People in polygamist, plural marriages are just a short step away from winning ofcial marriage rights. Adult incest practitioners will have similar claims, as will adult siblings and other close relations, he said. This decision is the next step along the path blazed by same-sex marriage advocates who have convinced federal judges to transform the societal norm of marriage as the union of one man and one woman designed primarily for the benet of any children produced of their union into an institution that recognizes intimate, romantic relationships between consenting adults, Brown said. Evan Wolfson, founder and president of the same-sex marriage advocacy group Freedom to Marry, said Browns interpretation of Waddoups ruling was incorrect. Contrary to yet another predictable breathless rush to misrepresent from NOM and its anti-gay ilk, this decision is no more about marriage than NOM is, Wolfson told the Blade in an email.

FRC President TONY PERKINS says the legalization of same-sex marriage will lead to legalized polygamy.
WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY LEE WHITMAN

Its about cohabitation, that is, whom you may choose to live with, he said. As anyone reading the judges ruling can see, the decision leaves intact other prohibitions on bigamy, polygamy, and fraud. Instead its about choices people make about living together, not marrying. Wolfson added, Do the NOM/FRC crowd really believe that in a free country the government should be dictating to Americans married or otherwise, religious or otherwise whom they may even live with? The challenge to the Utah polygamy law stems from a lawsuit led by Kody Brown, the lead gure in the reality television show Sister Wives, in which Brown stars with people he identies as

his four wives and 17 children. Brown and his family are members of the Apostolic Brethren Church, a breakaway sect from the Mormon Church whose members embrace polygamy as part of their religious beliefs. The Mormon Church ended its support for polygamy in the 1890s when Congress required the then territory of Utah to prohibit polygamy as a condition for becoming a state. George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley represents the Brown family in connection with their lawsuit. He argued before the court that the provision of the Utah polygamy law prohibiting cohabitation violated the familys right to privacy and religious freedom.

Obama urged to act against anti-gay Russians

2012 law allows U.S. to ban travel, freeze assets
By MICHAEL K. LAVERS mlavers@washblade.com A growing number of Kremlin critics are urging the Obama administration to use a 2012 law that freezes the assets of Russian citizens and ofcials directly responsible for human rights violations and bans them from entering the U.S. to punish those behind the countrys ongoing anti-gay crackdown. Gay journalist Jamie Kirchick and Andrs Simonyi, the former Hungarian Ambassador to the U.S. who is the managing director of Johns Hopkins Universitys Center for Transatlantic Relations in D.C., on Dec. 4 urged the White House to use the Magnitsky Act named in honor of the eponymous Russian lawyer who died in a Moscow prison in 2009 after authorities arrested him following his investigation into a $230 million tax fraud scheme. The two men specically called for the Obama administration to add Yelena Mizulina, the Russian lawmaker who sponsored a bill that bans gay propaganda to minors that President Vladimir Putin signed into law in June, to the list of 18 Russian nationals and ofcials against whom the Magnitsky Act is already applied. Kirchick and Simonyi also urged the White House to add Vitaly Milonov, sponsor of St. Petersburgs 2012 gay propaganda ban, Alexei Trifonov of the Center for Combating Extremism in Nizhny Novgorod and Maxim Martsinkevich of the Occupy Pedophilia vigilante group to the list of those banned from entering the United States under the 2012 law. The deadline to submit the four additional names to the administration was Dec. 14. The White House is expected to announce shortly whether it would add them to the Magnitsky Act. Activists in the West have been right to raise alarm bells about the Russian governments inhumane policies, yet their response to the problem has thus far been scattershot and ineffective, wrote Kirchick and Simonyi in their Dec. 4 brief. For those hoping to put a swift end to this ignominious crusade targeting a vulnerable minority, the Magnitsky Act shows a way forward. Kirchick and Simonyi further discussed expanding the Magnitsky Act during a panel on Russias LGBT rights record that took place at Johns Hopkins University in Northwest Washington on Dec. 6. Kirchick, who challenged Russias LGBT rights record during an interview on the pro-Kremlin television station RT in August before producers took him off the air, discussed calls to boycott the 2014 Winter Olympics that will take place in Sochi, Russia, in February. He questioned those who called for a boycott of Stoli and other Russian vodka brands over the summer. There have been very well-intentioned, but in my opinion totally ineffective protests, said Kirchick. There already exists a law on the books that is very effective that we can use. U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), who sponsored the Magnitsky Act, backs efforts to expand the list to include Russian ofcials and individuals directly responsible for the countrys ongoing LGBT rights crackdown. The Magnitsky Act can be used against those who violate the human rights of LGBT Russians or anyone else for that matter, Cardin told the Washington Blade on Tuesday. The law was written to be inclusive and not limited. We continue to seek ways that it can be broadened further. Larry Poltavtsev of Spectrum Human Rights, an organization that promotes global LGBT rights, also supports adding Milonov and others to the Magnitsky Act list. A petition his group launched on Change. org earlier this year in support of the move has more than 12,000 signatures. The Magnitsky Law must be applied more liberally to all human rights violators, including LGBT rights violators, Poltavtsev told the Blade on Tuesday. Its the only instrument that we have if we really want to change the situation in Russia.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DECEMBER 20, 2013 11

Look as Good as You Feel!

Whitman-Walker now offers aesthetic medical services!
Dermal Fillers | Botox | Teeth Whitening The place you know for high quality health care is now the place to go for aesthetic services! All services are open to the general public. We offer FREE CONSULTATIONS
on our aesthetics services!
Dermal Fillers

Washingtonian Plastic Surgery

Botox Teeth Whitening

Navin K. Singh, MD
We provide each client with the latest and safest personalized plastic surgery care in order to meet our patients goals and create beautiful natural results with concierge attention. Dr. Singh is a dual board certied plastic surgeon and a Washingtonian Top Doctor, as voted by the doctors in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. He is educated at Brown and Harvard and is the former Director of Cosmetic Surgery at Johns Hopkins.

Insurance does not cover these services. Our prices are very competitive.

For more information, call 202.745.7000 or e-mail appointments@whitman-walker.org.

202.745.7000 | whitman-walker.org | #yourhomefor

Primary Health Care Pharmacy Dental Care Behavioral Health Nutrition Services Legal Services

Laser Liposuction Body Contouring Facial Rejuvenation Gynecomastia Laser Hair Removal Medi Spa Packages Laser Skin Resurfacing Rhinoplasty

CALL TO ASK ABOUT OUR LASER LIPO SPECIALS

5454 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 1710 Chevy Chase, MD 301-244-0277 8200 Greensboro Dr, Suite 120 McLean, VA 703-345-4377

Get discounts up to 5-40%

If your economy needs some stimulation, Ill show you how to make your car insurance dollars work harder. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7

P090102 04/09 State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL

www.WashingtonianPlasticsurgery.com 888-903-2362

washingtonblade.com 12 DECEMBER 20, 2013 INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Day of Rage protests follow India sodomy ruling

Demonstrators gather in Delhi, Mumbai, D.C., London
By MICHAEL K. LAVERS mlavers@washblade.com Thousands of LGBT rights advocates in India and around the world took part in Day of Rage protests this week against last weeks India Supreme Court ruling that recriminalized homosexuality. Activists and their supporters gathered in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkota and other Indian cities to express their outrage over the Dec. 11 decision. Protests also took place outside the Indian embassy on Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., in Northwest D.C. and in New York, London, Toronto and other cities. I was especially overwhelmed to see parents of individuals from the community standing up for their kids, Neha Nambier told the Washington Blade after she took part in a protest against the decision in Bangalore in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Omkar, an engineer from Bangalore who did not provide his last name to the Blade, took part in the same protest. This verdict encroaches upon my freedom of living life, and it threatens to snatch my dignity, he said. Not just mine, but of everyone else too. Therefore, I feel, I must protest against this verdict and voice my concern. Mahesh Natarajan, a gay man who has lived with his partner for nearly a decade, also took part in the Bangalore protest. I felt betrayed, let down, outraged, he told the Blade as he discussed the decision. :For me, it is the supreme court abdicating its responsibility and by throwing us back in the hands of the possibly homophobic majority. Nearly three dozen people took part in a candlelight vigil outside the Indian embassy near Dupont Circle on Dec. 13. Members of KhushDC, a group for LGBT South Asians who live in the Washington metropolitan area, placed a rainbow ag in the hand of the Mahatma Gandhi statue near the intersections of 21st and Q Streets, N.W., and Massachusetts Avenue. An unidentied ofcial with the Indian embassy asked the protesters to remove the ag from the monument before the vigil began. Nearly two-dozen people gathered outside the Indian embassy two days earlier to protest the ruling. We are together because we want to show the strength of our community and people have been upset by the incredibly intolerant decision of the Supreme Court of India, said KhushDC President Sapna Pandya during the Dec. 13 vigil.

Demonstrators descended on the Indian embassy Wednesday to protest a court ruling that reinstates a sodomy ban in the country.
WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY LEE WHITMAN

Vanlal Hruaia of Cheverly, Md., who is from the Northeastern Indian state of Mizoram between Bangladesh and Myanmar, held a sign written in Hindi script during the candlelight vigil that read I have loved, not committed a crime. He described the 2009 Delhi High Court ruling that struck down the countrys colonial-era sodomy law as a great baby step in moving forward and being open-minded. Hruaia added he feels the Indian Supreme Court decision that reinstated it is a Stonewall moment for LGBT Indians. Gays have been marginalized like crazy since British rule came to India, he said, noting Hinduism recognizes what he described as a third gender. Its only when the British came that they marginalized the third-gender people that theyve been living on the edge of society. And weve somehow failed to move beyond that. India is now among the 41 U.K. commonwealth countries in which homosexuality remains criminalized. Sonia Gandhi, president of the Indian National Congress, which is one of the countrys two main political parties, on Dec. 12 criticized the Indian Supreme Courts ruling. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay in a Dec. 11 statement described the decision as a signicant step backwards. She also urged the Indian government to review the ruling. U.S. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki last week declined to say how the White House would pressure New

Delhi to repeal the countrys colonial-era sodomy law in response to questions from the Blade and other media outlets. Indian Law Minister Kapil Sibal said his government will consider ways to overturn the decision. It remains highly unlikely lawmakers will decriminalize homosexuality before next years elections because members of the socially conservative Bharatiya Janata Party, which observers have labeled as Hindu nationalist, and their political allies will likely block any such proposal. The judges seem to have decided that they were speaking for a real India that nds all this distasteful or worse and against that view all the legal skill on our side was of no use, Vikram Doctor of the Times of India newspaper told the Blade. If anything it conrmed their feelings that this was all elite urban outrage. LGBT rights advocates are planning to ask the Indian Supreme Court to reconsider their decision. They are also scheduled to meet in New Delhi on Dec. 22. I dont think this is going to be as easy to change as people are hoping, said Doctor. All the support we are seeing now is wonderful and heart-warming, but it remains to be seen how much difference it will make over time and when we are up against this real India attitude which is quite widespread. Tushar Malik, a Human Rights Campaign fellow from New Delhi, told the Blade during the Dec. 13 vigil outside the Indian embassy in D.C. that a lot of dissatisfaction with this

decision remains in India. Its a shame to our democracy, he said. Harjant Gill, a D.C. anthropologist from Chandigarh in Northern India, said the outrage over the Indian Supreme Courts decision he has seen on social media networks demonstrates his countrymen increasingly support LGBT rights. He told the Blade after he attended the D.C. vigil on Dec. 13 that most people with whom he has spoken in India since the judges announced their ruling described it as incredibly stupid. They dont understand this is moving the country in the wrong direction, said Gill. A lot of people see gay rights as a human rights issue and the fact that the India Supreme Court did this says something about their commitment to human rights and that in fact theyre maybe not committed to human rights. Queer Indians have always been a fractured lot across race, caste, religion, economic status, language, gender, sexuality, colour and everything else, and nd it hard to come together, added Natarajan. This judgment has already brought us together to a larger degree than anything else so far. Every liberal Indian is coming out and speaking out. We got to build on this and make this our stonewall moment. There isnt any other choice. Omkar had a similar message for the court. We are simply asking [it to] let consenting adults decide how they express feelings of mutual love and affection, he told the Blade.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DECEMBER 20, 2013 13

Sunday, 2 2 er b m e c e D , Tuesday 24 er b m e c e D

Trusting Gods Community

Luke 2:1520

HOLIDAY SERVICES
Sunday, December 22
The Asbury Wesleyan Choir directed by Everett Williams and the Asbury Bell Choir directed by Randolph Scott present carols and special music of the season
8:30 AM & 10:30 AM

Christmas Eve
6:30 PM - Kid Friendly!

9:30 & 11:00 AM Services

Christmas Cantata

There will be music performances by the children, interactive storytelling and glow sticks for all the children

Tuesday, December 24
Featuring Guest soloist and instrumentalists Preacher: Rev. Dr. Ianther M. Mills
7:30 PM

Join us for a rich tradition of celebrating with beautiful music, singing Christmas Carols, scripture readings and a Christmas Eve homily.

8:00 PM - Lessons, Carols & Candlelight

Christmas Eve Service

1500 16th Street NW Washington DC ~ www.foundryumc.org ~ (202) 332-4010

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church 2300 Cathedral Avenue NW Woodley Park Metro 202.232.4244 www.allsoulsdc.org

A service of repentance and forgiveness in Preparation for a new beginning in a new year. Special music by Adrienne Neal-Harris
10:30 PM

Watch Night Owlah Service

Tuesday, December 31

OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO ALL

926 11th Street, NW Washington DC 20001

Christmas Masses
M usiCAl CHILDRENS MASS AND Blessing of the CrChe 4PM A s e rv i C e o f l e s s o n s A n d C A r o l s 7 P M P relu d e 10:30PM A n d C h r i s t M A s h i g h M A s s 11PM

Rev. Dr. Ianther M. Mills, Senior Pastor Rev. Adam Briddell, Associate Pastor

www.asburyumcdc.org

December 24
PROOF #1
for

Christmas is a time for new beginnings.

Come join us in celebration.

low MAss

December 25

C h r i s t M A s d Ay 1 0 A M

Bethesda Presbyterian, 7611 Clarendon Rd., Bethesda MD bethesdapresbyterian.org Clarendon, 1305 N Jackson St., Arlington VA clarendonpresbyterian.org New York Avenue, 1313 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC nyapc.org Oaklands, 14301 Laurel Bowie Rd., Laurel, MD oaklandspres.org Pilgrims, 2201 P St. NW, Washington, DC churchofthepilgrims.org Rockville United, 355 Linthicum St., Rockville, MD rockvilleunitedchurch.org A D V Takoma Park, 310 Tulip Ave., Takoma Park, MD takomaparkpc.org Western, 2401 Virginia Ave. NW, Washington, DC westernpresbyterian.org ISSUE DATE: 12.20.13 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS (bpitts@washblade.com) Westminster, 400 I St SW, Washington, DC westminsterdc.org
REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Allwill members of More Light DoorsisChapter Proof be considered nal and will be Presbyterians/Open submitted for publication if revision not submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all liability, loss, damages,

REVISIONS REDESIGN TEXT REVISIONS IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS NO REVISIONS

opendoorsmlp.org

ADVERTISER

By signing this proo

washingtonblade.com 14 DECEMBER 20, 2013 LOCAL NEWS

D.C. police probe vandalism of Blade boxes

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The report says Assistant D.C. Police Chief Diane Groomes and Capt. Edward Delgado were notied and responded to the scene of the damaged box at 18th and T, N.W., which is where the Lauriol Plaza Restaurant is located. Delgado heads a police division that oversees the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit. Blade Publisher Lynne Brown has said employees with a local distribution company that delivers the Blades takes the boxes that an unidentied perpetrator soils on the inside with excrement to a warehouse where they are steam cleaned and returned to the street. In recent months, the perpetrator or perpetrators have targeted the same boxes again, forcing the distribution company to repeat the process of cleaning them. In other cases, Brown has said someone has been breaking the Plexiglas window on the boxes and ripping off a clip that holds one of the papers against the window. The cost of repeatedly repairing the boxes is adding up, Brown said.

Theres a loss of property. This is our product. Its being destroyed, said Blade Publisher Lynne Brown.
WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO

TWO EXQUISITE PROPERTIES

IN HISTORIC MT. VERNON, BALTIMORE

836 Park ave., aPt. B $450,000

Large, gorgeous, newly renovated 2 bedroom, 2 full bath condo. 1,720 SF with open oor plan. 10.5-ft. ceilings, bay windows, designer kitchen, lled with light. Also available: 2-level, 2BR, 2.5 bath condo in the same building for $525,000.

TSAKNIS DENTAL
831 Park ave. $1,399,000
CEREC (same day crown) Cleanings & Air Polishing Composite White Fillings Cone Beam CT & Laser Digital X-Rays (low radiation) Emergencies Full Dentures Partial Dentures Implants Invisalign IV & Nitrous Sedation

COSMETIC, FAMILY, IV SEDATION, IMPL ANTS

Magnicent, award-winning renovation of this gracious, four-level Victorian townhouse. State-of-the-art kitchen and bathrooms, media room, exquisite outdoor pool, Lanai, loggia. 6 replaces, gracious room sizes, garage ... spectacular property. Both near Penn Station, monuments, museums, ne dining and more!

Nightguards & Mouthguards Oral Cancer Screening Oral Surgery TMJ Pediatrics & Periodontics Root Canal Therapy Sleep Apnea Spectra Camera Veneers, Crown, Bridge Whitening

JULIE CANARD

CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR UNIV. MARYLAND DENTAL SCHOOL ACADEMY OF GEN. DENT. AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOC. HISPANIC DENTAL ASSOC. AMERICAN DENTAL SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGY

202-236-2200 julie@juliecanard.com Long & Foster Real Estate 301-907-7600 (o)

IN-HOUSE PERIODONTIST CALL TODAY HABLAMOS ESPANOL WWW.DENTALBUG.COM

JOHN TSAKNIS, DDS INDRA MUSTAPHA, DDS, MS GUNTHER HEYDER, DDS JEANNETTE SUH, DMD 1221 MASS. AVE., WASHINGTON, DC 202.628.7979 703 D ST., NW, WASHINGTON, DC 202.628.1288

washingtonblade.com NATIONAL NEWS DECEMBER 20, 2013 15

U.S. Olympic delegation short on senior ofcials

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

for the opening or closing ceremony. Also, no statement from Obama or any White House ofcial accompanied the announcement. Instead, Janet Napolitano, president of the University of California system and former secretary of homeland security, was tapped to lead the delegation for the opening ceremony. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns was selected to lead the delegation for the closing ceremony. Shin Inouye, a White House spokesperson, said in a follow-up email to the Blade that Obama is proud of U.S. athletes and will root for them even though Obamas schedule doesnt allow him to travel to Sochi. President Obama is extremely proud of our U.S. athletes and looks forward to cheering them on from Washington as they compete in the best traditions of the Olympic spirit, Inouye said. He knows they will showcase to the world the best of America diversity, determination, and teamwork. Inouye maintained Obama has sent a high-level delegation to Sochi in his place that includes several individuals who served or have once served in the administration. The U.S. delegation to the Olympic Games represents the diversity that is the United States, Inouye said. All our delegation members are distinguished by their accomplishments in government service, civic activism, and sports. We are proud of each and every one of them and think they will serve as great ambassadors of the United States to the Olympic Games. The White House announced King and Cahow would take part in the delegation after the U.S.-based international rights group Human Rights First called on the administration

In 2012, the White House announced rst lady MICHELLE OBAMA would lead the U.S. Olympic delegation. She will not attend the Sochi Winter Games.
WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

to include LGBT people as part of the delegation. The call was echoed by other LGBT groups: the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, All Out and the Council for Global Equality. Concerns over the anti-LGBT record in Russia consist of the countrys recently passed law barring pro-gay propaganda to minors, another prohibiting samesex couples in foreign countries from adopting Russian children and continuing reports of anti-LGBT hostility and violence in the country. Shawn Gaylord, advisory counsel to Human Rights First, praised the Obama administration for taking the organizations advice about the inclusion of LGBT leaders in the U.S. delegation to the Olympics. We are pleased to see the Obama administration take action in line with our recommendations to have LGBT people included in the delegation and believe this can send a positive message to the LGBT community in Russia, as well as to Russian government ofcials, Gaylord said. The selection of this delegation displays to the international community the American values of respect and equality for all. Mark Bromley, chair of the Council for Global Equality, said the absence of the Obamas and the Bidens from the

delegation was appropriate as was the inclusion of LGBT gures. We are pleased that the delegation is at a lower level than might otherwise be expected and that it includes such an important LGBT sports legend, Bromley said. In both respects, we hope the delegations composition and its members will give voice to our countrys disdain for Russias persecution of its LGBT citizens. Michael Cole-Schwartz, spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, also commended the White House for its choices regarding the Olympics delegation. Given Russias deplorable law against LGBT people, the makeup of this delegation is entirely appropriate, Cole-Schwartz said. Particularly the inclusion of openly gay athletes sends a message to the world that the U.S. values the civil and human rights of LGBT people. The Obamas decision not to attend the Olympics in 2014 unlike in 2012, when Michelle Obama led the delegation to the London Olympics follows the announcement by several world leaders that they would skip the games. Notably, the announcement from the White House came less than two months ahead of the games; an announcement was made four months

ahead of time for the 2012 Olympics in London. The Belgian press reported on Tuesday that Belgian and Flemish Prime Ministers, Elio Di Rupo and Kris Peeters, have no plans to attend the Winter Olympics. Without explaining the decision further, French President Francois Hollande and other French ofcials announced they wouldnt attend the Olympics. German President Joachim Gauck and European Union commissioner Viviane Reding earlier made similar announcements. In an August interview, the Blade asked King whether she feels athletes should boycott the Olympics over the anti-gay atmosphere in country. Recalling Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who raised their sts in the air as they stood on the medal podium at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, King said athletes should decide for themselves. The athletes who have the most to derive from it and the least to derive from it if they dont go, I think they should get the vote, she said. This is the Olympics. This is about the athletes and the fans, so its a really hard call. Michael K. Lavers contributed to this report.

MONSTER REPAIR PROBLEMS?

A DIVISION OF ARGENT HEATING & COOLING, LLC

Washers / Dryers refrigerators / freezers Cook tops / ovens / MiCroWaves iCe MaChines garbage Disposals / trash CoMpaCtors

Any Service Call

We service all makes & models.

15% OFF

Celebrating lives with

DIGNITY Peace of mind.

703.255.2440 www.homeappliancerepair.us

5130 Wisconsin Ave. NW DC (202) 966-6400 www.JosephGawlers.com

Speak with our Preplanning Advisor, Jamie Arthurs Call (202) 966-6400 or email Jamie.Arthurs@Dignitymemorial.com

washingtonblade.com 16 DECEMBER 20, 2013 BALTIMORE NEWS DIGEST

com/EQMD.PAC/info, the PAC was established in 2006 to help elect public ofcials at the state and local level in Maryland who support and advance policies and legislation that result in full legal equality for LGBT people and their families. The PAC also works to support fair-minded incumbents. The minimum criteria for the endorsement of candidates and incumbents include completing the PAC PM questionnaire and supporting EQMDs key legislative priorities. Additional considerations include viability, ability to advance legislation and relationships with key constituencies.

Eq. Md. launches PAC Facebook page

With the 2014 elections less than a year away, Equality Maryland launched a Facebook page on Dec. 9 that is expected to inform voters as to which statewide candidates are LGBT-friendly. The Political Action Committee (PAC) arm of Equality Maryland is a 501(c) (4) organization. common_blade.pdf 1 11/8/13 2:56 According to the page, facebook.

Piano bar returns to Grand Central

Immediately following a multi-vehicle accident in September that sent white paint splattering onto the exterior

What do pianos & Vince Gill & Alison Krauss have in common?
C M Y CM MY

Equality Maryland, led by CARRIE EVANS, is prepping for the 2014 elections.
WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

CY

CMY

Listen at bluegrasscountry.org

of Grand Central and damaged the front entrance, owner Don Davis used the opportunity to make extensive renovations to the bar. One of the changes was to install a piano bar on the street-level pub side, which made its debut on Dec. 18. Grand Central, one of the regions most popular clubs and a xture in the Mount Vernon neighborhood, had been without a piano bar for 10 years. When it existed, it was located on an upper level that now houses the Sapphos bar. Davis said that following the death of his pianist Carl Barnwell in 2003, there was a succession of pianists who were not so good, and it was not the same. Now he feels the time and the new pianist are right. After all the years of not having a piano, I am real excited to have the piano in the pub, Davis told the Blade. And we are so lucky to have a friend and excellent pianist and entertainer to perform here at Grand Central, Matthew Kenworthy. Kenworthy, a self-taught pianist and vocalist from Richwood, NJ, is no stranger to Baltimore as he performed at Jays on Read and other venues. He has also appeared in New York, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Chicago, D.C., Rehoboth Beach, and just completed a two-year stint at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City. Kenworthy performs a broad range of music that caters to a more diverse and demanding audience. He performs selections from nearly any genre from rock n roll to Broadway, jazz, pop, and, of course, the standards. I am more than excited to return to Baltimores music scene, said Kenworthy. In 16 years of performing, I never had a more warm, supportive, and caring audience as I have in this city. The piano bar entertainment will be featured Wednesdays and Sundays, 8 p.m. to midnight. Grand Central is located at 1001 N. Charles St. For more information, call 410752-7133 or visit centralstationpub.com. STEVE CHARING

washingtonblade.com HEALTH NEWS DECEMBER 20, 2013 17

Demonstrators took to the streets in cities around the world, including D.C., last week to protest the India sodomy ruling.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KABI

paper, and other sources report. Ofcials say Optimizing LGBT Health Under the Affordable Care Act: Strategies for Health Centers will offer a critical step toward addressing disparities and improving the health of LGBT Americans, according to Dr. Harvey Makadon, director of the National LGBT Health Education Center. The report addresses several areas including data collection, nondiscrimination protections, prevention and wellness, insurance market reforms and new coverage options as ways in which the Act can positively impact LGBT health. It outlines strategies such as health centers offering free or low-cost services promoted in LGBT media and community groups such as HIV testing and counseling services, smoking cessation classes, hormone therapy and mammography.

Indias gay sex ban could have harmful effect

NEW DELHI, India Mental health ofcials here are saying making gay sex illegal again as this countrys Supreme Court did last week when it overturned a 2009 ruling that had repealed the 153-year-old law will lead to hidden depression and substance abuse among gays, the Telegraph, a Calcutta-based newspaper, reports. Overturning a Delhi High Court ruling of July 2009, the Supreme Court upheld Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalizes gay sex while suggesting the law may be amended through the legislative process. It can be mentally devastating to nd that the law condemns an aspect of identity so basic to them, said Shalini John, a clinical psychologist in New Delhi who has worked with gay people, to the Telegraph. It can be extremely stressful and may push some towards clinical depression. The suffering starts early, even during adolescence, the Telegraph quoted Jen Wang, a Chinese-American psychiatric-epidemiologist at the University of Zurich, as saying. Wang and his colleagues have shown that even adolescent sexual minorities have higher levels of depression and anxiety than heterosexual adolescents. Gay rights activists have expressed their determination to continue to campaign against Section 377, saying criminalizing gay sex between two consenting adults is tantamount to a human rights violation, the Telegraph article said.

S.F. man receives smoking cessation award

WASHINGTON A San Francisco man has received an award from Legacy, a smoking cessation agency created in 1998 as a result of a lawsuit settlement between attorneys and the tobacco industry, for his work to reduce LGBT smoking, the agency reports. Bob Gordon received the agencys Community Activist Award. Since 1993 when he joined the Coalition of Lavender-Americans on Smoking and Health (CLASH) in San Francisco, Gordon has been a leader in addressing tobacco-related harms within the community, Legacy ofcials said.

Anal cancer a greater risk in HIV-positive men

NEW YORK Older HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) are at greater risk for strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause anal cancer when compared with older HIV-negative MSM, Poz Magazine reports. Publishing their ndings in the scientic journal PLOS ONE, researchers studied 1,296 men between the ages of 40 and 69 from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, about half of whom were HIV positive, examining them semi-annually for up to a quarter century. The investigators found that, when compared with those without HIV, the HIVpositive men had a 35 to 92 percent higher prevalence of HPV strains representing a wide spectrum of lower- to high-risk for anal cancer, the report said. They also found that, among the men with HIV, a higher CD4 count was linked to a lower likelihood of having types of HPV that are either a probable or possible cause of malignancy. Among all the men, a higher number of reported partners with whom they had receptive anal intercourse (RAI) over the previous 24 months was associated with a greater risk of the higher-risk strains of HPV. Those men who reported at least 30 lifetime male sex partners before their entry into the study and those who reported one or more RAI partners during the two years before receiving an HPV test had a respective 17 to 24 percent and 13 to 17 percent greater prevalence of the lower-risk HPV strains, the PLOS ONE report said.

New guide helps LGBT uninsured navigate ACA

BOSTON A new guide is available from the Fenway Institute and the Center for American Progress that details how the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) will impact health issues for LGBT Americans, the Rainbow Times, a gay New England

NEW PATIENT SPECIAL

FREE BLEACHING with X-RAYS, CLEANING & CHECKUP!
New patients only. Not valid with any other offers, discounts, or third party billings. Cleaning cannot be performed if periodontal disease is present.

202-244-3902 WWW.berkshirefaMilyDeNtal.coM

4201 Massachusetts ave. NW #1040c WashiNgtoN, Dc 20016

BERKSHIRE DENTAL CARE

washingtonblade.com 18 DECEMBER 20, 2013 VIEWPOINT

V O L U M E 4 4 I S S U E 5 1
ADDRESS PO Box 53352 Washington DC 20009 PHONE 202-747-2077 E-MAIL news@washblade.com INTERNET www.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 FEATURES EDITOR JOEY DIGUGLIELMO joeyd@washblade.com ext. 8081 SR. NEWS REPORTER LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com ext. 8079 NEWS REPORTER CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com ext. 8083 NEWS REPORTER MICHAEL K. LAVERS mlavers@washblade.com EDITORIAL INTERN MARIAH COOPER PHOTO EDITOR MICHAEL KEY mkey@washblade.com CREATIVE DESIGN/PRODUCTION

A reminder to boycott the red buckets

Salvation Army continues its anti-LGBT policies
By KONRAD JUENGLING The Salvation Army is one of the most recognized charities in the United States. Each holiday we see the bell ringers outside of businesses collecting change in pots while the bell ringer shivers in the cold. Its a regular part of the shopping experience while we rush about to get the presents that we need. When I was a child, I always asked my mom for change so that I could give it to the bell ringers and feel like I did something that made a difference. The difference people are making when they donate to the Salvation Army, though, is a difference for a very select population of people: heterosexual Christians. What a lot of people, myself included until recently, do not realize is that the SA is actively and institutionally homophobic and works against people in the LGBTQ community. This inequality is built into the very structure of the SA. For this self styled evangelical part of the universal Christian Church, the homophobia is literally written into its handbook. For its position statement on LGBTQ individuals, The Salvation Army believes, therefore, that Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life. Telling people that they are not entitled to love another person because of their sexuality is degrading and inappropriate. You could argue that they are only staying true to their beliefs, but what if one of their beliefs was not to help African Americans? Or the disabled? Is it appropriate for a tax-exempt organization to discriminate against a certain population of minorities? Mark Oppenheimer wrote a 2011 story for the New York Times solely about the SA turning away people because they are gay. While the SA has denied this, with their culture of discrimination and continued media reports, its a slim-to-none chance that people arent experiencing that discrimination when they look for help. Weve also seen the SA threatening to leave New York City altogether in 2004 if they were forced to abide by the law of requiring health benets for employees same-sex partners. In 2012, we heard SA media relations ofcial Major Andrew Craibe imply on national radio that gays should be put to death. These arent isolated incidents; theyre just a small sampling of the SAs continued dedication to only minister to heterosexuals. Donating to an organization that actively works against LGBTQ rights supports the belief that heterosexual people are worth more than LGBTQ people. For those that believe that people are all equal, tossing your coins into the red bucket is in direct contrast to that. For those that donate to the Salvation Army, youre saying that its OK to discriminate and to turn needy people away because they are different than the majority. These arent the values that Christianity, America or common sense ascribe to. Instead of donating to SA, donate to the American Red Cross if youre looking for a large organization. If you want something a little smaller, there are any number of local shelters that would be grateful for your support. When shopping, remember how you choose to spend (and donate) your money shows support for that organization; just make sure youre supporting the right cause. Skip the red buckets and support an inclusive, non-discriminatory organization that truly wants to help everyone that comes through its doors.
Konrad Juengling is attending Portland State University with the goal of working with juvenile sex offenders.

AZERCREATIVE.COM SALES & ADMINISTRATION SR. ACCT. EXECUTIVE BRIAN PITTS bpitts@washblade.com ext. 8089 SR. ACCT. EXECUTIVE JERYL PARADE jparade@washblade.com ext. 8072 ACCT. EXECUTIVE ERIN WOMMACK ewommack@washblade.com ext. 8094 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATION PHILLIP G. ROCKSTROH prockstroh@washblade.com ext. 8092 MARKETING & EVENTS DIRECTOR STEPHEN RUTGERS srutgers@washblade.com ext. 8077 NATIONAL ADVERTISING RIVENDELL MEDIA 212-242-6863; sales@rivendellmedia.com
For distribution, contact Lynne Brown at 202-747-2077, ext. 8075. Distributed by MediaPoint, LLC
All material in the Washington Blade is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Washington Blade. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. Although the Washington Blade is supported by many ne advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Unsolicited editorial material is accepted by the Washington Blade, but the paper cannot take responsibility for its return. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit any submission. A single copy of the Washington Blade is available from authorized distribution points, to any individual within a 50-mile radius of Washington, D.C. Multiple copies are available from the Washington Blade ofce only. Call for rates. If you are unable to get to a convenient free distribution point, you may receive a 52-week mailed subscription for $175 per year or $3.50 per single issue. Checks or credit card orders can be sent to Phil Rockstroh at prockstroh@washblade.com. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Washington Blade, PO BOX 53352 Washington, DC 20009. The Washington Blade is published weekly, on Friday, by Brown Naff Pitts Omnimedia, Inc. Individual Subscriptions are $175 per year for 52 issues (only $3.37 per issue mailed to you USPS). Rates for businesses/institutions are $450 per year. Periodical postage paid at Washington, D.C., and additional mailing ofces. Editorial positions of the Washington Blade are expressed in editorials and in editors notes as determined by the papers editors. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Washington Blade or its staff. To submit a letter or commentary: Letters should be fewer than 400 words; commentaries should be fewer than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length, and must include a name, address and phone number for verication. Send submissions by e-mail to knaff@washblade.com.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

2013 Brown Naff Pitts Omnimedia, Inc.

washingtonblade.com VIEWPOINT DECEMBER 20, 2013 19

India reminds us of need to be vigilant

We must never take our right to love for granted
imprisoned for life for carnal intercourse against the order of nature with man, woman or animal. In 2009, human rights advocates rejoiced when Indias Delhi High Court declared this 1861 law, known as Section 377 and enacted when India was a British colony, unconstitutional. The Supreme Court said that the Delhi Court acted wrongly when it overthrew Section 377 and that only Indias Parliament could strike down the law. The reinstatement of Section 377 is a sucker punch not only to LGBT people in India but to everyone worldwide who believes in human rights. The ruling is a wakeup call to all of us whove become a bit too comfortable in our queer skins. Yes, its the 21st century. Yet, our human rights our freedom to be who we truly are can be set back anywhere from India (the worlds largest democracy with a population of 1.2 billion) to the United States to Russia to South Africa (where people worry that LGBT rights will be lost with the passing of Nelson Mandela). Its hard to imagine what it would be like if the clock were set back 40 or 50 years. Suddenly, wed return to a pre-Stonewall world where you could be arrested for gay sex and police could harass you for merely appearing to be queer. Yet, thats where Section 377 leaves LGBT people in India. The India Supreme Court has denied my freedom as a gay man, upholding a 153-year-old colonial law that could result in my own imprisonment, said Tushar Malik a fellow with the Human Rights Campaigns Global Engagement program and an LGBT advocate in India on the HRC website. But I refuse to retreat. With the Supreme Court ruling, India became the 77th country worldwide to criminalize being LGBT, Malik said. The Indian Parliament should reform Indias colonial-era sodomy laws, Graeme Reid, director of the LGBT program at Human Rights Watch, emailed the Blade. The government will need to draft an amendment that decriminalizes same-sex conduct between adults, while preserving protection for male rape. The other option is that the government seek a review by the Supreme Court. Its good that senior Indian government ofcials have spoken up against criminalizing homosexuality, Reid said, If not any-

Kathi Wolfe is a writer, poet and regular contributor to the Blade. She can be reached through this publication.

If youre like me, youve come close to being not only out and proud but complacent about being queer. With samesex weddings, LGBT families and more gay celebs coming out than you can count, its easy to feel that worrying about LGBT rights is passe that homophobia is only a sad memory from back in the day. Until we read in the Blade that on Dec. 11 Indias Supreme Court issued a ruling that criminalized homosexuality. In that decision, as the Blade and other news outlets reported, the top court reinstated an 1861 law that says you can be

thing else, it will discourage police from abusing the law. T. Kumar, international advocacy director, Amnesty International U.S.A., in a telephone interview with the Blade offered some hope that the Indian government would decriminalize homosexuality. There is enough support in India to move forward by treating everyone equal despite their sexual orientation, Kumar said. The real India is moving against violence and discrimination against women. This is the next step. India has states like the U.S. has, Kumar said. Indias state governments can pass resolutions against discriminating against segments of the population such as LGBT people, he added, though not binding, these resolutions send a powerful signal. State resolutions have a major impact on the thinking of legislators in Parliament. On Dec. 15, thousands worldwide in a Day of Rage protested Indias Supreme Court ruling, reported the Blade. These protests remind us that we can never take our right to love for granted. We must work to protect our freedom.

OUR BUSINESS MATTERS

Graham, ANC delusions on Reeves Center deal

Council raties, ANC may opine, but neither dictates development
development project. It doesnt. Nor should it. Also overestimating prerogatives in such matters, the U Street Advisory Neighborhood Commission earlier invited residents to a community meeting this week organized by the D.C. Department of General Services (DGS). ANC-1B solicited participation with the topic identied as What should the D.C. government do with the Reeves Center? That isnt the question. In other words, a smokestack full of hot air has been released. As conrmed with agency personnel, DGS scheduled the public meeting as an initial community outreach allowing city ofcials to update the status of city presentation of the deal for Council review. It is also a rst step in engaging area residents to analyze potential impacts related to the proposed disposition and redevelopment of the Reeves Center site in order to later identify mitigation strategies to minimize these impacts. Demolishing the aging Brutalist-style monstrosity most notable for its problemplagued infrastructure and subsequent construction will pose neighborhood and commerce inconveniences. Hence, this initial public meeting. Wishing for inuence over the fundamentals of a developers already-planned project simply isnt relevant. This is not a city-issued request for proposals to develop city-owned land in the abstract. Its a complex negotiated deal granting the government-owned site to a developer in exchange for land being assembled with city assistance for construction by D.C. United of a soccer stadium at Buzzard Point, four blocks from Nationals Stadium. When the land swap was publicly announced the developer presented schematics for the planned residential project with street level retail, all part of the deal. While the deal has proven widely popular and enthusiastically embraced in a way that the baseball stadium arrangements never were, the D.C. Council must ratify the deal. Any ANC may choose to offer comment during public hearings. Graham treating it like a building he can personally construct with Legos is outlandish. Graham behaves as an old-world Soviet apparatchik, insisting on a dened private sector build-out to suit his command economy proclivities. He demands that the project consist of commercial ofce space instead of residential housing, including non-prot ofces. He also species a seasonal farmers market on a public plaza not part of the plan or likely economic feasibility. Graham seems to think that replicating the current usage will somehow benet the neighborhood in a way it doesnt now. Graham also plays the gay card insisting space be provided to the Gay Center. When the D.C. Center for the LGBT Community smartly decided to temporarily utilize below-market rate retail space at the Reeves Center until relocating once demolition begins, a commitment for government-owned rental space was conveyed. Despite strong public support for the stadium land swap and among his colleagues, Graham declares that he is willing to consider supporting the deal if it conforms to his druthers. The best Graham offers in the realm of economics is that a major private commercial ofce building ought to nd this space very attractive. In the real world of business, however, differentials in viability between adding to a glut of D.C. ofce space and satisfying market-driven housing demand are transparent. Graham, or an advisory neighborhood group, shouldnt attempt to queer the deal with the personal preferences of those accustomed to allocating the public dole. Step aside, Mr. Graham, this is enterprise at work again beneting our city.

MARK LEE is a long-time entrepreneur and community business advocate. Follow on Twitter: @ MarkLeeDC. Reach him at OurBusinessMatters@ gmail.com.

D.C.s silly season has commenced. Another conrmation that local election campaign nonsense is now fully underway was found in an opinion piece by D.C. Council member Jim Graham in last weeks edition of the Washington Blade. Graham only earlier in the week had announced a much-delayed decision to seek a fth four-year term. Graham suggests that the Districts preliminary inking of a deal to swap the Reeves Center government building site, at the corner of 14th and U streets in Northwest Washington, for land needed for a planned soccer stadium opens the door to dictating use-composition of a replacement private sector

washingtonblade.com 20 DECEMBER 20, 2013 LIFE IN THE INTERSECTION

LGBT split in mayoral race a good thing

When deciding among friends, look to non-LGBT issues
is so split is because every major mayoral candidate is very good on LGBT issues. The District has had marriage equality for several years now, and while we still have a ways to go to make the community safe and welcoming for all LGBT residents, District legislators tend to overwhelmingly support legislative measures to do so. As a result, D.C. has some of the most LGBT friendly laws in the country. Thus, the solutions to ensuring that all members of the LGBT community, particular transgender residents and LGBTQ youth, thrive seem to lie in changing the minds of residents and providing more resources. Dont get me wrong. There are still some LGBT issues that need to be addressed, such as the lack of transitional housing for LGBTQ youth, ongoing discrimination against the transgender community and hate crimes. Its important to pose questions to the mayoral candidates about these issues so we can learn what solutions they have because when everyone is professing support, its the proposed solutions that will separate the candidates. That said, the mayoral candidates strong support of LGBT issues has the community rightly looking to non-LGBT issues to decide which candidate to support. Each voter will have to decide how much weight, if any, to give to LGBT issues. As for me, I am still undecided and will look to key answers to questions facing the District as a whole when deciding whom to support. Some of the issues that will impact my decision are: which candidate will improve the public school system (preferably in a way that boosts achievement, while working with students, parents and teachers as partners in the process); which candidate will work to keep all neighborhoods safe; which candidate will ensure that all communities benet from the Districts economic renaissance; and which candidate will commit to providing affordable housing and ensuring that low and moderate income residents are not displaced. The challengers that I am considering Council members Bowser, Wells, Evans and Orange, along with Reta Lewis and Andy Shallal will need to convince me that the city is better off shifting to a new path rather than continuing on the path established by Mayor Gray, who I am also strongly considering. That is no easy challenge considering that the city is running well and while LGBT issues will not dictate my vote, I cannot ignore that Mayor Gray has probably been the best mayor in the nation on transgender issues. I encourage undecided LGBT voters to go to several debates to learn more about all of the candidates. Some of the debates that deal with specic policy issues, such as economic development or education, are quite helpful in illuminating candidates records and views on these important issues. Meanwhile, since the LGBT vote will be split in many directions, it is important for our community to give our perspective on other key issues and show how those issues impact the LGBT community. If a debate on affordable housing arises, LGBT voters should attend to hear the candidates broadly address the issue for all District residents, as well as to highlight concerns about the large number of homeless LGBT youth in the District who need housing. During education debates, in addition to actively participating to see who has the best plan to improve achievement among all students, LGBT voters should also express concern about the high number of LGBT youth who drop out due to harassment and fear. The pending split LGBT vote in the upcoming mayoral race is evidence of how far our community has come and how supportive our citys leadership is. Now, when deciding among friends, we must focus on broader issues when deciding who is the best individual to lead our city.

LATEEFAH WILLIAMS biweekly column, Life in the Intersection, focuses on the intersection of race, gender and sexual orientation. She is a former president of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club. Reach her at lateefah4@hotmail.com or follow her at twitter @lateefahwms.

As 2013 winds down, the District is poised to have a hotly contested mayoral race in 2014. While it is much too early to know who will prevail, one thing is certain: the LGBT community will not overwhelmingly line up behind any one candidate. This was made abundantly clear to me by the various candidates that many of my friends support and was further conrmed by Lou Chibbaros Blade article earlier this month. While some may see this as problematic, I see this as the ultimate sign of progress. The reason that the LGBT vote

VIEWPOINT

Juvenile attacks hamper push for Md. trans law

Gender Rights Maryland ghting for non-bias protections
By SHARON BRACKETT Recently there was an op-ed in the Washington Blade entitled Maryland advocates must unite to pass trans bill by a guest columnist. The author, who chose not to offer her full name, made several allegations about trans advocacy organizations in the state. Unlike the author, I will identify myself as the current board chair and a founder of Gender Rights Maryland (GRMD), the states only organization founded specically to pass legislation in Maryland to protect trans rights. Unlike the author, I am happy to name organizations as my group and I were intimately involved in this past years efforts in Annapolis to pass the gender identity antidiscrimination bill, SB449. I am not going to explain at length the differences between GRMD and any other state or local organization seeking passage of these protections for gender nonconforming persons, but I will address the specics as charged by the author. GRMD is not a member of the Maryland Coalition for Trans Equality (MCTE), even though we instigated, with PFLAG National, the creation of the forerunner of that organization in late 2011. We left the organization in the spring of 2012 for a variety of reasons that will be revealed in coming weeks in various public forums and publications. GRMD makes no apologies for that decision. As to the authors rst hand witnessing of events it is pretty clear from her writing that she was, at best, a second-hand witness, and has surprisingly little evidence to back up her allegations. My organization, GRMD, did not support the lobby day, which was organized and promoted by Equality Maryland and the MCTE. Long before lobby day, SB449 had 23 Maryland Senate sponsors, including Republican Sen. Allan Kittleman. For those unaware, 24 votes are required to pass legislation in the Senate. In addition, Senate President Mike Miller asserted on a number of occasions that he would support the bill (bringing us to the magic number of 24). Thus, if the bill were to make it out of committee to the oor of the Senate, it most assuredly would pass. Alas, there were three Democratic senators on the Judicial Proceedings Committee who voted no; had only one of them voted yes, the bill would have proceeded to the Senate oor. The reasons for those no votes were personal for each senator, and had nothing to do with any disagreement among the advocates. The purpose of a well-organized lobby day would be to show support to legislators and apply pressure to those who were impediments or on the fence. Aside from those three senators on the JPR committee there was no point in raising the prole of the bill in the Senate, a position supported by the chambers leadership. GRMDs position was that the focus should be on those three senators, and not the entire Senate. The best way to achieve this, in our opinion, was by one-on-one, face-to-face, scheduled meetings. If those efforts were coordinated with a keen legislative focus then perhaps we might have had another opinion. That is why we did not support the lobby day effort. As to undermining the bill, it is interesting to note that not supporting something these days is perceived as undermining. I dare the author to produce a single document, social media post or email solicitation urging the public to not attend. Please, bring forth such evidence. The second charge, for which I have evidence, is that a ranking member of the MCTE did indeed engage in a campaign to convince members of our board of directors and policy advisory board to resign. At the request of the board members I will not reveal the details of that exchange; however, I will provide an excerpt of a message received by at least one board member to authenticate the event. I have purposely removed the most offensive language (which was directed at one of our board members who is well respected in the community of color). The typos are in the original message and retained here. The last bit, of course, was directed at me. I am disappointed with your sitting on the Policy Advisory Board of a transphobic organization. This is NOT an organization poised to lead. This is not an organization seeking to serve. the community. It is an organization to serve its boards insatiable egos.. For the record, GRMD this poorly led, all-volunteer organization went on to spearhead passage of comprehensive bills in Howard and Baltimore counties within six months of incorporation. As for the authors plea for unity, that sounds great. But the notion that the marriage equality effort was without differences is nonsense. Standing together cannot occur as long as there are juvenile attacks underway. GRMD has one goal to pass antidiscrimination legislation. Pass it efciently, quickly, quietly and comprehensively. That is all we do. Period.
SHARON BRACKETT is chair of Gender Rights Maryland.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DECEMBER 20, 2013 21

YOUR BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

Washington Blade Best of Gay DC reader poll, 2012 Gay Owned & Operated Since 1989

OPEN CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY 4PM-2AM JOIN US ON NEW YEARS EVE FOR

COMPLIMENTARY CHAMPAGNE TOAST AT MIDNIGHT PARTY FAVORS SERVING COMPLIMENTARY LIGHT FARE TO BRING IN 2014

JOYEUSES FTES
DCS MOST FRIENDLY, AUTHENTIC BAR! HAPPY HOUR EVERYDAY DOGS (AND THEIR OWNERS) ALWAYS WELCOME ON THE PATIO

4-7PM

1840 18th Street, NW Corner of 18th and T Streets 202.483.1483

A D V ERT I S I N G PROOF #1 ISSUE DATE: 12.20.13 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: JERYL PARADE (jparade@washblade.com)

PR O O F

REVISIONS REDESIGN TEXT REVISIONS IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS NO REVISIONS

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

ADVERTISER SIGNATURE

By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, payment and insertion schedule.

22 DECEMBER 20, 2013

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

A Taste of Elegance!
Saxon Chocolates proudly upholds the time-honoured traditions that have made Belgium synonymous with fine, gourmet chocolate. Saxons collection of delectable chocolates and confections presented in gorgeous packaging provides a striking combination of elegant indulgences. Classic and utterly delicious, this stylish assortment of products is perfect for Holiday gift giving.

Running out of time?

* Friday night, December 20, open until 8pm *

7405 River Road Bethesda, MD 20817 301.469.7690 9-6 Sun-Sat 5258 River Road Bethesda, MD 20816 301.656.3311 9-6 Sun-Sat Landscape Design Center Landscape Division 7405 River Road 301.762.6301 Bethesda, MD 20817 Call for appointment 301.469.7690 Call for appointment

December 24 & December 31 9am-3pm | Closed Christmas Day | December 26-30

americanplant.net

FONZ GIFT MEMBERSHIPS

UNITING TREE HUGGERS SINCE 1958

A Friends of the National Zoo membership makes a great gift for anyone on your list. Your favorite tree hugger will love knowing that his or her holiday present helps fund animal care, conservation, and wildlife preservation at the National Zoo and around the world. Theyll also love the perks that FONZ membership has to offer. Order your gift membership today at fonz.org/gift. Dont be surprised if you get a hug in return.
2013 Gift Mem Blade12.19_4.75x5.625.indd 1 12/18/13 1:05 AM

CHRISTMAS MENU - RESERVE TODAY

HOLIDAY PARTIES & CATERING OPEN CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY

M-Th 11:30aM-10pM F-saT 11:30aM-11pM suN. bruNch 10aM-3pM / diNNer 3-10pM

CAFEBERLINDC.COM

322 Mass. ave. Ne 202.543.7656

DECEMBER 20 2013
THIS IS THE FIFTH AND FINAL INSTALLMENT OF OUR FIVE-PART GIFT GUIDE. SEE PREVIOUS ROUNDUPS ON TECH GIFTS, LOVE AND ROMANCE, HOME DECOR AND POP CULTURE AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM.

23

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DID YOU PROCRASTINATE? DONT FRET - OPTIONS ABOUND IN D.C.!

BY RYAN ROSADO

To both de-stress and pick up a last-minute gift, stop by Tranquil Space (1632 17th Street N.W., tranquilspace. com) to look through a variety of incenses and candles that aim to promote peace and calm. Most popular is the myInsens gift set for $18, which comes complete with 24 rose incense sticks, one stick holder and a travel box.

For the art appreciator in your life, head to Gallery 2000 Art and Frame (1529 17th St. N.W.) which is currently having a sale with 60 percent off all in-stock items through Saturday. Quick gifts to pick up include assorted prints for $7 and vintage framed prints for $45-$50 (facebook. com/gallery2000).

Gay novelty gift staple Pulp (1803 14th Street N.W.), never fails to deliver one-of-a-kind gifts. Easy items to pick up include multi-purpose tins for all sorts of use from candy to recipes. Prices depend on size and range from $6.95-$17.95.

Also nifty to pick up are various coffee table/activity books like Pin the Mr. on the Man and Keep Calm and Crossword On. Prices range from $10-$30 (pulpdc.com).

Head over to Dupont Circle and stop by Tabletop D.C. (1608 20th Street N.W.). Think Homegoods but better and in the District. At Tabletop D.C., last-minute gifts include an assortment of patterned and graphic totes for $18, wine bags for $12 or chic toiletry bags for $26 (tabletopdc.com).

24 DECEMBER 20, 2013

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DE CE MB ER SP EC IAL S!

2012 CC 4dr Sdn DSG Sport

Sale Price: $19,995*

2011 GTI 2dr HB Manual

Sale Price: $18,195*

VW Certified One Owner Car*

2012 VW CC Sport just traded fron orignal owner. Fully equipped; 2.0T FSI Engine, 6-speed DSG Automatic Transmission, Leahter, Automatic Headlamps, Heated Seats, Touch Screen Radio w-6-disc in-dash CD Player, Bluetooth, Power Seats and more. One owner, clean CarFax, Maryland Inspected and VW Certified. Comes with an additional 24 month/24K mile full coverage warranty.

VW Certified One Owner Car*

201 1 VW GTI just off lease. Origianlly sold and serviced by Martens. Nicely equipped; 2.0T engine, 6-spd manual transmission, power windows & locks, keyless entry, heated mirrors, cruise control, fog lamps, anti-theft alarm, Sirius satellite radio and much more. One owner, clean CarFax, Maryland Inspected and VW Certified. Comes with an additional 24 month/24K mile full coverage warranty.

2011 Golf 2dr HB DSG TDI

Sale Price: $19,395*

2013 Touareg 4dr VR6 Sport

Sale Price: $34,245*

VW Certified One Owner Car TDI*

201 1 VW GTI with only 1 5K miles. Origianlly sold and serviced by Martens. Nicely equipped; 2.0T engine, 6-spd manual transmission, power windows & locks, keyless entry, heated mirrors, cruise control, fog lamps, anti-theft alarm, Sirius satellite radio and much more. One owner, clean CarFax, Maryland Inspected and VW Certified. Comes with an additional 24 month/24K mile full coverage warranty.

VW Certified One Owner AWD*

201 3 VW Touareg Sport with 22K miles. Nicely equipped; VR6 engine, Automatic, AWD, Leatherette, Heated Seats, Dual Zone Climate Control, Touchscreen Radio w/6-Disc CD Player, 8-Way Power Front Seats, Power Liftgate, Bluetooth, Fog Lamps, Bi-Xenon Headlamps and much more. One owner, Clean CarFax, Maryland Inspected and VW Certified. Comes with an additional 24 month/24K mile full coverage warranty.

2009 Tiguan AWD 4dr SE

Sale Price: $17,495* Low mileage 2009 Tiguan SE 4Motion! This Tiguan is nicely equipped; 2.0L Turbo engine, 6-Speed automatic, Panoramic sunroof, 8-Way power seat, In-dash 6-disc CD Player, Heated seats, Heated mirrors, Fog lamps and much more. Clean CarFax, Maryland Inspected and VW Certified. Comes with a full coverage 24 month/24K mile warranty from date of purchase.

2010 Jetta Sedan 4dr Auto Wolfsburg PZEV Sedan

Sale Price: $16,495*

VW Certified One Owner AWD*

VW Certified One Owner Car*

2010 VW Jetta Wolfsburg with only 24K miles! This Jettahas it all; 2.0L Turbo, 6-Speed Automatic, Sunroof, Leatherette, Heated Seats, Heated Mirrors, Touchscreen Radio w/6-Disc CD Changer, Satellite Radio and much more. One owner, clean CarFax, Maryland Inspected and VW Certified. Comes with a 24 month/24K mile full coverage warranty.

4800 Wisconsin Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 202-537-3000

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DECEMBER 20, 2013 25

Tis The Season of Savings!

The only thing between you and a Volkswagen is the The only thing between you and a Volkswagen is the dotted line. dotted line.

Lease a 2013 XXXX XXXX for XX months at $XXX/mo.

(excluding title, taxes, options, and dealer fees). Offer good through XX/XX/20XX.

Lease a 2013 XXXX XXXX for XX months at $XXX/mo.

(excluding title, taxes, options, and dealer fees). Offer good through XX/XX/20XX.

Select Vehicle Image 1

Select Vehicle Image 1

New VWs Starting at Just $15,995*!

Select Vehicle 1 Offer Select Vehicle Image 2 Select Vehicle 1 Offer Select Vehicle Image 2 Select Vehicle 3 Offer Select Vehicle Image 4 Select Vehicle 3 Offer Select Vehicle Image 4

HAP HOL PY IDAY MARFROM S TENS VW!

Select Vehicle 2 Offer Select Vehicle 2 Offer

Discounts Up To $6, 100 Off MSRP**!

Select Vehicle Image 3 Select Vehicle 4 Offer Select Vehicle Image 3 Select Vehicle 4 Offer

Martens Volkswagen
210
N Si erra Mad re Bl vd
E Foothill Blvd

4800 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016 www.martensvolkswagen.com (202) 537-3000

210
E Foothill Blvd

N Si

erra

Mad

re Bl

vd

E Wauln
E

ut St Foothill

Blvd

E Foothill Blvd E Waulnut St

E Wauln

ut St

E Waulnut St

Conveniently located on Wisconsin Avenue, just 3 blocks north of Tenleytown Metro.

*2014 Jetta S sedan, MSRP $1 7 ,675. **$6, 100 off MSRP on in stock 2013 CC models. All prices plus tax, tags and $299 processing fee. Special offers are for a cash transaction only, selecting special financing with VW credit will affect final sales price. *2012 XXXXXXX, manual transmission. MSRP $XX,XXX. Monthly payments total $X,XXX. Requires dealer contribution of $XXX. Purchase option at lease end for $X,XXX. Lessee See Martens VW for complete details. Offer expires 12/1 5/2013.

responsible for $.XX/mile over XX,XXX miles. MSRPs exclude taxes, title, options, transportation and dealer fees. Lessee responsible for damage, excess wear and insurance. Dealer contribution could affect final negotiated transaction. Closed-end lease offered to Requires approved creditcontribution by Volkswagen Credit through option participating dealers. Supplies *2012 XXXXXXX, manual transmission. MSRP $XX,XXX. Monthly payments total $X,XXX. dealer of $XXX. Purchase at lease end for $X,XXX.limited. Lessee Additional charges may apply atXX,XXX lease end. Dealer sets actual prices. lease may not reflect models shown. your local Volkswagen dealer or callwear 1-800-DriveVW for responsible for $.XX/mile over miles. MSRPs exclude taxes, Example title, options, transportation and dealer fees. See Lessee responsible for damage, excess and insurance. details. end XX/XX/20XX. 2012 Volkswagen of America, Inc. lease offered to approved credit by Volkswagen Credit through participating dealers. Supplies limited. Dealer Offers contribution could affect final negotiated transaction. Closed-end Additional charges may apply at lease end. Dealer sets actual prices. Example lease may not reflect models shown. See your local Volkswagen dealer or call 1-800-DriveVW for details. Offers end XX/XX/20XX. 2012 Volkswagen of America, Inc.

26

DECEMBER 20 2013 WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

Three Plays. $99.

Gift giving has never been so easy.
Choose-your-own three-play packages start at just $99. Gift certicates also available.

202.332.3300

Between Farragut North and Dupont is another last-minute gift spot called Chocolate Moose (743 L St. N.W.). Pick up some classic gifts like an Etcha-Sketch for $20 or an Ouija Board for $27. Other gifts include a solar-powered waving Queen Elizabeth for $18 or tons of pretty ornaments from $10-$20 (chocolatemoosedc.com).

Three Plays. $99.

If your recipient is more of ne arts kindof person, then stop by Studio Theatre (1501 14th St. N.W.) and purchase a gift certicate in any amount of your choosing for your theater goer. You can either have it mailed directly to your special someone or pick it up at Studio Theatres location (studiotheatre.org).

Gift giving has never been so easy.

Choose-your-own three-play packages star at just $99. Gift certicates also available.

Or if your ne arts fan is more of a movie buff, then get him or her a subscription to IndieFlix (indieix.com.com), basically Netix but with all independent lms. For $49 theyll receive a one-year subscription to the service with unlimited streaming access to more than 4,000 lms.

If youre really pressed for time, then gift cards are probably your best option. Head over to Logan Circle and stop by Universal Gear (1529B 14th St. N.W.), which offers gift cards starting at $25. During this holiday season, gift cards are 25 percent off, so be sure to take advantage of this deal while it lasts (universalgear.com).

202.332.3300

CREATIVE DESIGN WITH QUALITY SERVICE

Located in the heart of Old Town Takoma Park since 1995

20% OFF
No Limit on Quantity
Offer Ends 12.24.13

Custom Framing

Our knowledgeable staff can help you design the perfect frame for artwork, family photographs, posters, mirrors, objects & more. 7050 Carroll Avenue Takoma Park 301.270.2427 artfulframing.com

Or swing by Logan Tavern (1423 P St. N.W.) which also offers gift cards that are good for all ve Eat Well D.C. restaurants (The Pig, The Heights, Grillsh, Commissary and Logan Tavern). You can put any amount you want on the card and for $2 have them shipped directly to your recipient (logantavern.com).

Right around the corner from Logan Tavern is Vida-owned hair salon and spa, Bang (1519 15th St NW). They, too, offer gift cards, which are good for all three of its locations (bangsalon.com).

DECEMBER 20 2013 WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

27

Custom Vanity Simply Modern

Closer to the Maryland suburbs is Cleveland Parks Wake Up Little Suzie (3409 Connecticut Ave. N.W.). There youll nd eye-catching and trendy items like pop clox (unique clocks with pop culture sensibility) for $50. Or on the more affordable side are the adorable Mufn Tops Baking Cups for $13.95 or charming owl dishes available in several different sizes and priced between $12.50-$23 (wakeuplittlesuzie.com).

For D.C. suburbanites, visit gay-ownedand-operated, Bloom Fresh Flowers (625 South Washington St., Alexandria), which is stocked with only the best oral supply. Creative arrangements range from $59.95-$229.95 and can be delivered all throughout the D.C. Metropolitan area (mybloomfreshowers.com).

800.842.6119 Shirlington, Fairfax Rockville, Culpeper hardwoodartisans.com

The National Zoo has several gift ideas such as a Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) membership that provides a year of benets and includes everything from free parking to members-only access to the pandas. Several membership levels are available starting at $50. Visit fonz.org/ gift for details. Its also possible to adopt an endangered species packages come with a plush toy of the species in a custom carrier, a certicate, photo and fact sheet. Various packages are available starting at $40. Visit fonz/org.adopt for details.

For the live music lover on your list, nothing triggers memories of all those great concert nights at the 9:30 Club like its cool ofcial merch. Available on site, its staff has everything from signature cupcake ornaments ($10) to pet collars ($15) with the nationally famous clubs logo on them. Also available online at merch.930.com/merch.

Gift shopping got you down?

Get

FOOD BOOKS DRINKS MUSIC

Our Gift Card

Something for everyone Everything for someone
BEST LATE-NIGHT EATSWashington Post BEST BOOKSTOREWashington Blade
@KramersCafe www.kramers.com

Yes, its getting a little late to order stuff online, but calendars always make great gifts and the Nashville Grizzlies RFC rugby club is raising money to attend the international gay rugby tournament next year in Sydney, Australia. Order one online for $20 at shop.grizzliesrugby.org.

American Plant (5272 River Road, Suite 550, Bethesda) has Saxon Chocolates, a collection of delectable chocolates and confections that have made Belgium synonymous with ne gourmet chocolates. The shop also has an online catalogue with a wide array of cute garden, holiday and dcor-type gifts. Visit americanplant.net for details.

1517 CONN AVE NW DUPONT METRO Q STREET EXIT

28 DECEMBER 20, 2013

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

tickets available 1.1.14

#HAVEPRIDE365 www.capitalpride.org

A R T S A N D E N T E R TA I N M E N T W A S H I N G T O N B L A D E . C O M V O L U M E 4 4 I S S U E 5 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 1 3 P A G E 2 9

PHOTO COURTESY THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY

PHOTO COURTESY WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES

From left, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep and Julianne Nicholson in August: Osage County, which opens Wednesday. Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson in Saving Mr. Banks.

Hollywood kicks into high gear with its end-of-year major award contenders
By BRIAN T. CARNEY This years holiday lm releases have little direct LGBT content, but still offer many delights for gay audiences. Opening Dec. 20 is Saving Mr. Banks, the story behind the making of the movie Mary Poppins. Walt Disney (played with great gusto by Tom Hanks) has promised his daughters that he will make a movie of the beloved book by P.L. Travers. Theres only one problem the equally curmudgeonly Travers (Emma Thompson) does not trust Disney to treat her story with the respect she feels it deserves. He nally wears down her resistance, but the two continue to spar during the production of the movie (Travers, for example, hates the animated sequences). The lm also features Colin Farrell as Travers alcoholic banker father (seen in ashbacks) and Jason Schwartzman and B.J. Novak as the Sherman brothers who wrote the famous score. Award-winning lmmaker David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, Three Kings and Flirting with Disaster) is the director and co-writer of American

Hustle, a ctionalized version of the ABSCAM scandals that rocked American politics in the late 1970s. The lm stars Christian Bale as con man Irving Rosenfeld, with Jennifer Lawrence as his unpredictable wife and Amy Adams as Sydney Prosser, his seductive British partner in crime. Opening in D.C. on Dec. 20, the movie also stars Bradley Cooper as a wild FBI agent and Jeremy Renner as a corrupt New Jersey politician. Another fact-based tale of corruption, The Wolf of Wall Street opens on Wednesday (Christmas). The latest opus by Martin Scorsese stars Leonardo DiCaprio and tracks the rise and fall of wealthy stockbroker Jordan Belfort. Also on Christmas Day, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom opens in wide release. Based on the late leaders autobiography, the lm chronicles Mandelas life from his childhood in a rural village through his years in prison to his triumphal inauguration as the rst democratically elected President of South Africa. The movie stars Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela and Naomie Harris as Winnie Madikizela. At the lms London premiere on Dec. 6, Elba announced the news of Mandelas death to a shocked audience. Also opening Wednesday is the gripping family drama August: Osage

County. With a screenplay by Tracy Letts based on his Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the lm chronicles the turbulent lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston clan who return home when their father Beverly (Sam Shepard) goes missing. Meryl Streep (likely to rack up another Oscar nomination for her performance) stars as the ailing, but still monstrous, matriarch Violet, with Julia Roberts, Julianne Nicholson and Juliette Lewis as her three long-suffering daughters. The powerful ensemble cast is rounded out by Dermot Mulroney, Abigail Breslin, Ewan McGregor, Margo Martindale, Chris Cooper and Benedict Cumberbatch. The increasingly popular Cumberbatch will also be heard as the voice of the dragon Smaug in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug which opens Wednesday and features the return of gay actor Ian McKellen as the wizard Gandalf. On a lighter note, Ben Stiller takes on the title role in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, a remake of the Hollywood classic based on the famous story by James Thurber. In addition to these new releases, some movies with LGBT content that opened earlier in the season will no doubt linger on area screens through the holiday season. Philomena tells the true story of an Irish woman (Dame Judi Dench)

who was forced to give her son up for adoption. With the help of disgraced journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan), she discovers that her son was a closeted advisor to President Ronald Reagan who died of AIDS. Also inspired by real events, The Dallas Buyers Club tells the story of Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey), a homophobic straight man who is diagnosed with AIDS. With the help of transsexual Rayon (a bravura performance by Jared Leto), Woodroof ghts the medical establishment by smuggling HIV drugs over the U.S. border. Also of note, nely honed performances by Stanley Tucci (Caesar) and Elizabeth Banks (Efe) blend high camp and high drama in highlighting the darkening political atmosphere of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Finally, gay playwright and activist Langston Hughes perennial holiday stage classic Black Nativity has been brought to cinematic life by director Kasi Lemmons (Eves Bayou). Hughes Christmas pageant is framed by a modern-day story of a troubled youth who embarks on an unexpected and inspiring journey. Already in local theaters, the lm features high-wattage performances by Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett.

washingtonblade.com 30 DECEMBER 20, 2013 QUEERY: 20 QUESTIONS FOR MICHAEL AMESQUITA

MICHAEL AMESQUITA
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell? I have two coming outs. I came out to my fraternity brother and everyone at college back in 2003 but didnt start coming out to my family and church till December 2009. The hardest person would be my father. He is very much an introvert and I knew it would be hard to gauge his reaction.
WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY DAMIEN SALAS

friends who are true to themselves and have good values I hold on tight. What was your last Facebook post or Tweet? It was picture of my Holland America Tour Director vest with all these pins from the various cities in Alaska. So much air! If your life were a book, what would the title be? Pioneering My Own Faith: A Gay Mormons Story If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do? Stay the same. Changing people from LGBT to straight would be like taking all the color out of the world. What do you believe in beyond the physical world? I believe we have a father in heaven that loves us all and wants us all to return back to him. Whats your advice for LGBT movement leaders? Keep moving forward on behalf of all LGBT people. What would you walk across hot coals for? Denitely for my family and loved ones. Probably for being the sole winner of Mega Bucks! What LGBT stereotype annoys you most? That LGBT people do not play sports. Whats your favorite LGBT movie? The Birdcage. My straight fraternity brother actually told me about it in college. Whats the most overrated social custom? Saying something after someone sneezes. What trophy or prize do you most covet? I just completed my masters this year so I have my eye on a Ph.D. in the future. What do you wish youd known at 18? That high school doesnt really matter and life begins in college. Why Washington? Came to check out graduate schools and I have stayed this long because of all that D.C. has to offer.

By JOEY DiGUGLIELMO joeyd@washblade.com For many gays who grew up in conservative religious households, going home for the holidays can be a tough notion. Michael Amesquita was out among friends in college but having been raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in a small town in Illinois where he says he literally didnt know one other gay person, coming out to everyone in his life was a tough prospect especially because until a few years ago, he was still active in his church. Well, theyve quit asking if Im seeing any girls, the 38-year-old Sterling, Ill., native says of his family with a chuckle. Its kind of the big elephant in the closet but Im sure that will change when I bring somebody home for Christmas. Amesquita is assistant director of the summer housing program at George Washington University, a year-round position that involves coordinating the schedules of about 19,000 people who stay on campus for varying lengths of time each summer. After many years in Las Vegas, Amesquita came to Washington in 2007 to look for graduate schools and stayed. He came out fully in 2009 and found support in Afrmation (a gay Mormon group) and the Gay Mens Chorus of Washington, which has its holiday show this weekend (details at gmcw.org). Amesquita is single and lives in the Logan Circle area. He enjoys volleyball, kickball, singing, camping and biking in his free time.

Whos your LGBT hero? There are so many wonderful people who champion our cause. I belong to two organizations that I care about deeply Afrmation: LGBT Mormons, Family and Friends and The Gay Mens Chorus of Washington. Both have histories that go back more than 30 years. Thirty years of standing up for equality and paving the way so we can be where we are today. Whats Washingtons best nightspot, past or present? When I do go out I have always had a good time at Town but that could be the Vegas in me. Usually it is a karaoke bar with buddies or a game night with friends and drinks. Anywhere with friends. Describe your dream wedding. Either on the beach with the ocean next to us or in the Utah mountains with the cornucopia of colors of fall. In either case it would be with all my loved ones. What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about? Immigration. What historical outcome would you change? The assassination of Kennedy. I would really like to see what kind of impact he could have had in the long run. Whats been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime? When I was in Vegas I worked at the MGM and was lucky enough to be able to check-in the VIPs for the ESPYs and Billboards for two years. I got to chat it up with Drew Breeze, R. Kelly, Avril Lavigne, etc. as they checked in. Most of them were really nice and Kathy Griffin was absolutely hysterical. On what do you insist? That people have integrity and be authentic. There just isnt time to waste on people who spend time putting on an image or false facade. When I do nd

Living in

Valerie M. Blake
Associate Broker, GRI

Little drops of water make a mighty ocean. SO INSTALL A SUMP PUMP.

Dupont Circle Office
202.243.7700

www.DCHomeQuest.com Valerrealestate.blogspot.com

202.246.8602 Valerie@DCHomeQuest.com

washingtonblade.com THEATER D ECEMBER 20, 2013 31

FEATURING THE #1 HIT SONGS YOU LOVE

FLASHDANCE...WHAT A FEELING, MANIAC, & MORE

PHOTOS BY IGOR DMITRY; COURTESY STUDIO THEATRE

MABOUD EBRAHIMZADEH as Nick and EMILY KESTER as Marianne in Edgar & Anabel.

Staying on script
Current events infuse comic paranoia thriller with added punch
By PATRICK FOLLIARD Sure, lots of theater remains relevant over time, but typically a play doesnt become increasingly topical in the years following its publication. Yet, thats exactly whats happened with young British dramatist Sam Holcrofts Edgar & Annabel. When her Orwellian comedy thriller premiered in London in 2011, the Edward Snowden N.S.A. leak hadnt happened and western audiences felt removed from the notion of an oppressive government monitoring their every move. But today, for Studio 2ndStages post-Snowden audiences, its more relatable. Holcroft imagines a contemporarylooking America where government surveillance is the norm. Big Brother is always listening and things are getting worse. People can be thrown into jail for telling an anti-government joke. Elections are approaching and the ruling party is predicted to win handily. Stakes are high. The minority, freedom-seeking opposition desperately needs to make some gains. The plot turns on the relationship of young rebel operatives Marianne (the excellent Emily Kester) and Nick (Maboud Ebrahimzadeh) who stay under the radar disguised as conservative married professionals Edgar and Annabel. Like everywhere, the house where they live is bugged and whats said is analyzed by a government computer. To maintain innocuous continuity, every afternoon Marianne and Nick are supplied a new script from Miller (Lisa Hodsoll), their coolbut-zealous handler. So evening after evening, they speak their banal domestic dialogue dutifully while anxiously awaiting orders from organization higher-ups on when to assemble the bombs whose makings are stashed beneath the oor boards of their white IKEA kitchen. Acclaimed local actor Holly Twyford (who is gay) is new to directing, but you wouldnt know it here. She has staged the production (a U.S. premiere) with a sure hand. At 95 minutes, the well-acted piece moves briskly without losing any of the comic bits or the more disturbing aspects of the play. The design team is assured too, from Debra Booths purposefully plain set to costume designer Kelsey Hunts pretty dresses and beige pumps for Annabel. Living under constant aural surveillance can prove tricky, but the operatives learn ways around it. When assembling explosives, they use whats available to drown out suspicious noises an electric carving knife and the hand held vacuum work nicely. But for a really big job, its home karaoke. Most memorably, the couple engages is an evening of karaoke and bomb building with guests and fellow operatives Tara and Marc (Lauren E. Banks and Jacob Yeh). This longish scene is a tour de force of blocking (kudos Ms. Twyford) and concentration on the part of the talented and diverse cast. Whats more, its during a karaoke duet (Total Eclipse of the Heart) that Marianne and Nicks relationship noticeably begins to shift. Ill stop there. No spoilers. Holcrofts play is about acting too. Because the protagonists must do a cold script reading every evening, theres lots of opportunity for frustration and humor as they perform for the overhead government bugs hidden in the smoke detectors. Characters can be replaced without warning. Going off script is taboo. Sometimes props arent available in one instance, their script calls for wine but theyre out, prompting Ebrahimzadehs Nick to impressively mimic the uncorking the bottle and pouring of its contents. Edgar & Annabel kicks off Studio 2ndStages British Invasion, a showcase of notable plays by British playwrights under 40. Upcoming entrees include Tribes by Nina Rains and Mike Bartletts Cock, intriguing-sounding works to look forward to in the new year.
EDGAR & ANNABEL Through Jan. 5 Studio 2ndstage 1501 14th Street, N.W. $15-$35 202- 332-3300 Studiotheatre.org

DECEMBER 25JANUARY 19 KENNEDY CENTER EISENHOWER THEATER

(202) 467-4600 kennedy-center.org
Tickets also available at the Box Office. | Groups (202) 416-8400 | TTY (202) 416-8524
Musical Theater at the Kennedy Center is made possible through the generosity of the Adrienne Arsht Musical Theater Fund. The Kennedy Center Theater Season is sponsored by Altria Group.

Tickets on sale now!

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

LIVE

washingtonblade.com 32 D ECEMBER 20, 2013 OUT & ABOUT

PINK FLOYD
SPECTACULAR:
WITH A LIVE ORCHESTRA
FRIDAY
RECREATING MUSIC FROM THE WALL

AMERICAN

SYMPHONIC
DEC 27

YELLOW DUBMARINE
SATURDAY
MONDAY, DEC 30

By MARIAH COOPER

DEC 28

LGBT-afrming Christmas services

Many houses of worship in the Washington region are LGBT-afrming. Here are a few that are having holiday services. CHRISTMAS EVE Foundry United Methodist Church (16th and P streets, N.W.) holds a kid-friendly Christmas Eve service from 6:30-7:30 p.m. with interactive storytelling and glowsticks. At 8 p.m., the church will also hold a Christmas Eve service with scripture readings, music and a homily. For more information, visit foundryumc.org. Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St., N.W.) holds a Christmas Eve worship service tonight at 8 p.m. Visit mccdc.com for details. Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) has carols by candlelight with Rev. Mariann Budde. At 10 p.m., theres Festival Holy Eucharist with Budde and Rev. Gary Hall. For more information, visit nationalcathedral.org. Dumbarton United Methodist Church (3133 Dumbarton St., N.W.) offers two Christmas Eve services today at 5 and 9 p.m. The rst service is geared toward children while the later service is more formal and will feature Advent worship themes. Visit dumbartonumc.org for details. National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) has a service tonight at 7:30 p.m. with a musical prelude starting at 7 p.m. For more information, visit nationalcitycc.org. The Christ Church on Capitol Hill (620 G St., S.E.) holds a festival service at 10:30 p.m. with a choral prelude starting at 10. For details, visit washingtonparish.org. Saint Johns Episcopal Church (3240 O St., N.W.) presents its Christmas Pageant today at 4 p.m. Later in the evening, theres a Holy Eucharist service with choral prelude beginning at 8:30 p.m. Visit stjohnsgeorgetown.org for more information. Seekers Church (276 Carroll St., N.W.) holds a Christmas Eve dinner and service beginning at 6 p.m. For more information, visit seekerschurch.org. Church of the Pilgrims (2201 P St., N.W.) holds a Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service with performances by a choir,
WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

START MAKING SENSE:

TALKING HEADS TRIBUTE
TUESDAY, DEC 31

DR. JOHN WITH WANDA JACKSON

W/ TOY SOLDIERS
FRIDAY, JAN 10

NY EVE

Gay Mens Chorus gets ready to Sparkle

The Gay Mens Chorus of Washington presents Sparkle, Jingle, Joy at Lisner Auditorium (730 21st St., N.W.) with special guest Grammy Awardwinner Matt Alber tonight at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m. The performance combines classic Christmas and Hanukkah songs with fun costumes and lights. Alber, who has previously performed alongside the chorus, performs solo and with the 200-member ensemble. Tickets range from $29-$54. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit gmcw.org/sparkle-jingle-joy.

NICHOLAS DAVID
SUNDAY, JAN 12 FRIDAY, JAN 17

BRASS-A-HOLICS RHETT MILLER OF THE OLD 97s

W/ TRAPPER SCHOEPP & THE SHADES

THEHAMILTONDC.COM

STILL COURTESY AFI SILVER

AFI Silver screens classic Christmas movies

AFI Silver Theatre (8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md.) screens two classic Christmas movies this week Its a Wonderful Life and The Muppet Christmas Carol. Its a Wonderful Life tells the story of a man (Jimmy Stewart) who sees what life would have been like if he had never been born with the help of an angel-in-training. The Muppet Christmas Carol is a retelling of the famed Charles Dickinson tale with the Muppets. Show times and prices vary. For more information, visit a.com.

soloists and instrumentalists. Visit churchofthepilgrims.org for details. CHRISTMAS DAY Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) holds Festival Holy Eucharist this morning at 11 a.m. There is a Christmas Day service of lessons and carols today at 4 p.m. followed by an organ recital

featuring organists Christopher Betts and Benjamin Straley at 5:15 p.m. The Christ Church on Capitol Hill (620 G St., S.E.) has its Christmas Day breakfast and service this morning from 7:30-8:30 a.m. For more information, visit washingtonparish.org. Saint Johns Episcopal Church (3240 O St., N.W.) has a Christmas Day and Eucharist service at 5:30 p.m. For details, visit stjohnsgeorgetown.org.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DECEMBER 20, 2013 33

A D V E RT I S I N G ISSUE DATE: SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS (bpitts@washblade.com)

P R O O F

NS

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

ADVERTISER SIGNATURE

By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the

washingtonblade.com 34 DECEMBER 20, 2013 THE GUIDE TO ARTS & CULTURE

HOT HITS & HIDDEN JEWELS

F R O M C U LT U RE C AP I TAL .C OM Y O U R L IN K T O THE ARTS I N ME TR O D.C.

THEATRE
Elf The Musical. Thru Jan 5. Flashdance-The Musical. Dec 25-Jan 19. Shear Madness. Thru Jan 31. Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. kennedy-center.org. A Christmas Carol. Thru Jan 1. Fords Theatre. 800-982-2787. fords.org. Edgar and Annabel. Thru Jan 5. The Apple Family Plays. Thru Dec 29. Studio Theatre. 202-232-3300. studiotheatre.org. The Pajama Men: Just the Two of Each of Us. Thru Jan 5. Woolly Mammoth. 202-393-3939. woollymammoth.net. An Irish Carol. Thru Dec 29. Keegan Theatre. 703-892-0202. keegantheatre.com. The Lyons. Thru Dec 22. Round House Theatre. 240-644-1100. roundhousetheatre.org. The King and I. Thru Dec 29. A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A Ghost Story of Christmas. Thru Dec 29. Olney Theatre. 301-924-3400. olneytheatre.org. Chinese Menu: Home For The Holidays. Dec 22-Dec 29. DCAC. 202462-7833. dcartscenter.org. Gypsy. Thru Jan 26. Signature Theatre. 703-820-9771. signature-theatre.org.

WORKT BY HAND: HIDDEN LABOR AND HISTORICAL QUILTS NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS DEC 20-APR 27. 202-783-5000. NMWA.ORG. Workt by Hand is an innovative display showcasing 35 18th20th-century quilts from the Brooklyn Museums renowned decorative arts collection. Revealing the shifting cultural status of this medium, the exhibition explores issues specic to quilting practices, such as anonymity versus authorship and the conventional view of quilts as craft rather than ne art. A C A N D L EL IG HT C HR I STMAS T HR U D EC 2 3 . THE WASHI NG TON C HORU S . 202-342-6221. H EWA S H IN GTONC HORUS.ORG . Pure Joy! With the splendor of brass, organ, percussion, and the 200-voice chorus, this beloved holiday event features Christmas classics, sing-alongs, and the magic of the candlelight processional. Performances at the Kennedy Center and Strathmore. T HE R ED U CE D SHAK E SP E ARE C OMPANY DEC 2 1 . R ES TON C OM M UNI TY C E NTER. CENT ERS TA GE. 7 0 3 -4 7 6 -4 5 0 0. RE STONC OMM UNI TYCENT ER.COM. The fruitcakes of the RSC take you on an irreverent yet heartwarming trip through the holidays. Its festive, funny, physical, family fun as the Three Wise Guys send up and celebrate your favorite winter holiday traditions. OUR SUBURB DEC 26-JAN 12. THEATER J. 800-494-8497. THEATERJ.ORG. An homage to Our Town, this world-premiere invites audiences to suburban Illinois in 1977, when the Nazis marched on Skokie.
IMAGE SUPPLIED BY NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS

DANCE
The Nutcracker. Thru Dec 29. The Washington Ballet. Warner Theatre. 202-397-7238. washingtonballet.org. The Snow Queen. Dec 21. CityDance. Strathmore. 301- 581-5204. citydance.net.

MUSIC
AIR Alumni. Dec 20. The Irish Tenors. Dec 21. Strathmore. 301-581-5100. strathmore.org. Eileen Ivers: An Irish Christmas - An Nollaig. Dec 21. GMU Center for the Arts. 888-945-2468. cfa.gmu.edu. Handels Messiah. Thru Dec 22. NSO. Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. kennedy-center.org. Washington Symphonic Brass. Dec 22. National Philharmonic. Strathmore. 301581-5100. nationalphilharmonic.org. Lloyd Dobler Effect. Dec 21. BlackRock Center for the Arts. 240-912-1058. blackrockcenter.org.

Play Fitted. Thru Jan 12. folger.edu. Kreeger Museum. Mindy Weisel: Not Neutral. Thru Dec 28. 202-337-3050. kreegermuseum.org. National Archives. Discovery and Recovery: Preserving Iraqi Jewish Heritage. Thru Jan 5. 202-357-5000. archives.gov. National Gallery of Art. Yes, No, Maybe: Artists Working at Crown Point Press. Thru Jan 5. Northern Mannerist Prints from the Kainen Collection. Thru Jan 5. Charles Marville: Photographer of Paris. Thru Jan 5. Tell it with Pride: The 54th Massachusetts Regiment and Augustus Saint-Gaudens Shaw Memorial. Thru Jan 20. Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek Collections. Thru Mar 2. 202737-4215. nga.gov. National Geographic. Lions, Tigers, and Bears. Thru Feb 2. Women of Vision. Thru Mar 9. One Cubic Foot. Thru Mar 31. A New Age of Exploration. Thru Jun 8. 202-857-7000. nglive.org. Museum of Women in the Arts. Wanderer: Travel Prints by Ellen Day Hale. Thru Jan 15. . Equal Exposure: Anita Steckels Fight Against Censorship. Thru May 9. Making her Mark: Publishers Bindings by Women. Thru Nov 1. The Phillips Collection. Shaping a Modern Identity: Portraits from the Joseph and Charlotte Lichtenberg Collection. Thru Jan 12. Van Gogh Repetitions. Thru Jan 26. Duncan Phillips and New York Collections. Thru Feb 28. 202-387-2151. phillipscollection.org.

GALLERIES
Artisphere. Westen Muntain: Lovesong. Thru Jan 4. Dave Beck: Logjam. Thru Jan 5. The Imaginary App. Thru Jan 5. Emily Francisco: May I Have The Piano Delivered To You?. Thru Jan 12. Lisa McCarty: Lumen. Thru Jan 12. Alicia Eggert: Everything You Are Looking For. Thru Feb 2. Lina Vargas: Portable Places_Permanent Spaces. Thru Feb 2. 703-875-1100. artisphere.com. DCAC. Emancipation: Meditations on Freedom. Thru Jan 5. 202-462-7833. dcartscenter.org. Goethe-Institut. Linger On! Photography from Saxony-Anhalt. Thru Jan 31. 202-289-1200. goethe.de. Joan Hisaoka Gallery. Against the Bias. Thru Dec 21. 202-483-8600. smithcenter.org. Neptune Fine Art. Wolf Kahn: Printmaking with Line and Color. Thru Jan 11. 202 338-0353. neptuneneart.com. Target Gallery. Small Worlds. Thru Jan 12. 703.838.4565. torpedofactory.org. The Art League Gallery. The Street Sense Project: Portraits by ThienKim Pham. Thru Jan 6. 703-683-1780. theartleague.org.

Count Down to the New Year with CultureCapitals Holiday Cheer!

From the traditional to the offbeat, from family to adults onlyweve gathered all the events here, under Holiday Cheer. The Countdown begins now & continues thru New Years Day. Go to CultureCapital.com.

MUSEUMS
Corcoran Gallery of Art. Recent Acquisitions: American Art from the Johns Collection. Thru Feb 9. Question Bridge: Black Males. Thru Feb 16. NOW at the Corcoran Mia Feuer: An Unkindness. Thru Feb 23. Alex Prager: Face in the Crowd. Thru Mar 9. American Journeys - Visions of Place. Thru Sep 21. 202-639-1700. corcoran.org. Folger Shakespeare Library. Here Is A

YO U R L I N K T O T H E A R T S I N M E T R O D C

Blade_HolidayCheer_4.75x2.68_v3.indd 1

12/3/12 9:22 PM

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DECEMBER 20, 2013 35

THREE WOMEN

Thai Tanic II
HAPPY HOUR 5-7 PM*
Pitcher Draft Beer & 2 Appetizers $25 Draft Beer Tower $23.50

SPECIALS*
Seated Woman, 25 x 21, pastel on paper

JAY PETERZELL
Paintings and Drawings December 4-29, 2013 Foundry Gallery
1314 18th Street, NW Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6 301-452-4005

Yellow Curry Fried Rice & Sunny Side Up $12.99 Soft Shell Crab Papaya Salad $9.99
M-TH 11-10, FRI 11-11, SAT 12-11, SUN 12-10
Family Owned & Operated

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

3462 14th St. NW 202-387-0882 202-387-0886 for delivery to limited area

*ONLY@Columbia Heights. LivingSocial, Groupon, and other promotions do not apply.

WWW.THAITANIC.US/THAITANIC2

washingtonblade.com 36 DECEMBER 20, 2013 CALENDAR

E-mail calendar items to calendars@washblade. com two weeks prior to your event. Space is limited so priority is given to LGBT-specic events or those with LGBT participants. Recurring events must be re-submitted each time.

TODAY Gay District, a facilitated group discussion focused on building understanding of gay culture and personal identity for men ages 18 through 35, meets at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 8:30-9:30 p.m. For details, visit thedccenter.org. Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. There is no cover charge and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For more information, visit towndc.com. Bachelors Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) holds a happy hour from 5-7:30 p.m. tonight with all drinks half price. Music begins at 11 p.m. Enjoy pool, video games and cards. Admission is $5 after 9 p.m. Must be 21 and over. For more details, visit bachelorsmill.com. Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts free vodka Friday tonight from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Free rail vodka 11 p.m.-midnight. Two DJs on two oors. Cover is $10. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com. SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) provides free and condential HIV testing drop-in hours today from 1-3 p.m. For more information, visit smyal.org. A holiday tango concert with the Roberto Pomili Orchestra featuring Latin Grammy winner Raul Jaurena is tonight at 8:30 p.m. at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club (7719 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda). Tickets are $35. Visit bethesdabluesjazz. com or call 240-330-4500 for tickets. SATURDAY, DEC. 21 Some Souls Church, a variety show, presents The Church Night Holiday Spectacular) tonight at Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) at 9 p.m. There will be music by Jonny Grave, a burlesque

performance by Pria Puss and childrens comedy by Sara Armour. There is a dance party with music by rock group The North Country at the end of the performance. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com. Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today for the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation at the Falls Church PetSmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va.) at 11:45 a.m. Those volunteering will be paired with a dog on a leash to walk around and play with. Wear casual clothes. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org. Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) presents Chords MTHR FCKN Pop Off, a dance party countdown for top pop song of the year, at 10 p.m. tonight. The cover is $8 from 10-11 p.m. and $12 after 11 p.m. Drinks are $3 before 11 p.m. The drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For more details, visit towndc.com. DC9 (1940 9th St., N.W.) hosts Peach Pit: 90s Dance Party tonight from 10:30 p.m.-3 a.m. Mixtapes DJ Matt Bailer spins 90s music. Cover is $5. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit dcnine.com. SUNDAY, DEC. 22 Adventuring, an LGBT outdoors club, hosts a Winter Solstice Poetry Hike this morning at 10 a.m. to Marylands Sugarloaf Mountain. Meet at the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station (10300 Rockville Pike., Bethesda, Md.) at 10 a.m. The hike is about seven miles and 1700 elevation gain. At the top of the mountain there will be a lunch and sharing of favorite poems in honor of the passing of another year. Bring a bag lunch, water, sturdy shoes, cash and a favorite poem to share. For details, visit adventuring.org. Perrys (1811 Columbia Rd., N.W.) hosts its weekly Sunday Drag Brunch today from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $24.95 for an all-you-can-eat buffet. For more

details, visit perrysadamsmorgan.com. Adventuring, an LGBT outdoors club, hosts a holiday party at 6338 Beryl Rd., Alexandria, Va. today from 4-8 p.m. Adventuring will provide a holiday ham and all non-food items. Guests are asked to bring a beverage to share plus one of the following: an appetizer, salad, hot dish or dessert. There will be a $5 collection at the door to support the Team D.C. Scholarship Fund. For more information, visit adventuring.org. MONDAY, DEC. 23 The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT community. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org. Us Helping Us (3636 Georgia Ave., N.W.) holds a support group for gay black men to discuss topics that affect them today, share perspectives and have meaningful conversations. For details, visit uhupil.org. Nellies Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts poker night tonight at 8 p.m. Win prizes. Free to play. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com. Country legend Wynonna and The Big Noise bring their show A Simpler Christmas to Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club (7719 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets ($6090) are available at bethesdabluesjazz. com or 240-330-4500. TUESDAY, DEC. 24 Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers for the Saint Elizabeths Hospital holiday party (1100 Alabama Ave., S.E.) today from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Volunteers will decorate, serve the buffet, carol and socialize with patients. Visitor orientation is at 9:30 a.m. and party starts at 10 a.m. There is a buffet lunch at noon. Wear something

red and bring photo ID. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org. The Mansion on O Street (2020 O St., N.W.) holds a Christmas Eve dessert buffet and annual Christmas Eve sale tonight from 7-10 p.m. Bring your own shopping bags. Tickets are $30. Reservations are required. For details, visit omansion.com/xmasdesserts. Bachelors Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) offers all drinks half price tonight until 2 a.m. Enjoy pool, video games and cards. Admission is free. Must be 21 and over. For more details, visit bachelorsmill.com. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 25 Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) holds Festival Holy Eucharist this morning at 11 a.m. There is a Christmas Day Service of Lessons and Carols today at 4 p.m. followed by an organ recital featuring organists Christopher Betts and Benjamin Straley at 5:15 p.m. The Christ Church on Capitol Hill (620 G St., S.E.) has its Christmas Day breakfast and service this morning from 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. For more information visit washingtonparish.org. THURSDAY, DEC. 26 Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly Ripped-Hot Body Contest tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Win up to $200 in prizes. $2 rail drinks from 9-11 p.m. Admission is 18 and up and is free. Rude Boi Entertainment hosts Tempted 2 Touch, a ladies dance party, at Fab Lounge (2022 Florida Ave., N.W.) tonight. Doors open at 10 p.m. Drink specials $5 and vodka shots $3 all night. No cover charge. Admission limited to guests 21 and over. For more details, visit rudeboientertainment.wordpress.com. Nellies Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts its weekly Beat the Clock Happy Hour tonight from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Drink specials start at $2 and increase by a dollar each hour. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.

Georgetown Smile Welcomes New Patients

Accepting Most Dental Insurances Evening & Saturday Hours Available

Dr. A.J. Peretz

FREE
CONSULTATION

$99*

Regular Cleaning, X-Rays & Consultation $269 Value

4400 MacArthur Blvd., NW, Ste. 200 Washington, DC 20007

202.333.0003 GeorgetownSmile.com
*Call office for details. Expires 11.30.2013. Reserved Parking

washingtonblade.com ADVICE D ECEMBER 20, 2013 37

No-win holiday?
When partner digs in heels, its time for tough choice

Im sorry, Timmy. There is no such thing as blinds the next day.

Michael Radkowsky is a licensed psychologist who works with gay couples and individuals in D.C. He can be found online at personalgrowthzone.com. All identifying information in the questions has been changed for reasons of condentiality. Have a question? Send it to Michael@personalgrowthzone.com.

DEAR MICHAEL, I am headed toward Christmas hell. Ive been with my partner Amy for 16 years and it has taken my conservative, religious family years to move toward acceptance. They are polite but distant to Amy when they meet and my parents have never let me bring her home to our family Christmas. Ive gone myself because I wanted to keep a good relationship with them in hope of their ultimately accepting us as a couple. This has created tension because Amy has felt like I was choosing my family over her. Recently, my family has gotten more accepting. It helps that my teenage nieces and nephews have gotten to know me and Amy and think their parents and grandparents discomfort with our relationship is ridiculous. This year, Amy and I have been invited to my parents for Christmas. My mom actually got teary and apologized for her past stance, saying that she is glad that I have someone special in my life. But Amy does not want to go because she is angry at my parents, my brothers and their wives for their unsupportive and critical attitude toward us all these years. She also tells me that shes had it with my not spending Christmas with her because we are each others family. I feel like Amy should go with me to my parents, because theyve changed and now want to honor our relationship. If Amy doesnt go, I think it will be a huge missed opportunity for all of us to start getting along. But shes adamant about not going. Of course, if I go to my parents, she will be mad and if I dont go to my parents, Ill be increasing the distance between me and my family at a time when they nally want to get closer. Any ideas about how I can bring everyone together?

MICHAEL REPLIES: Your situation is tough, and also pretty common. It can be really difcult to gure out what to do when your family and your partner are pulling you in two different directions, especially when youre a person who works as hard to please others as you do. Blinds in Real Time No matter what you choose to do, at least one person is bound to be upset with you. The most important question is this: What do you want? Whose Call today for an in-home estimate disappointment are you most willing to tolerate? And what fallout may be least 202.630.4864 destructive to what you cherish most? It isnt in your power to make everyone happy. Your family may or may not respect your choice to spend Christmas with Amy, if thats what you ultimately choose to do. Likewise, Amy may or may Custom Made: not accept your familys invitation to join them for Christmas and may continue to Solar Shades Honeycomb Shades Draperies Wood Blinds be upset if you choose to go alone. Roman Shades Plantation Shutters And More The good news is that your family has come around, though not without cost: your relationship with Amy has taken a hit. Your story shows that it can sometimes be helpful to avoid giving people an ultimatum, choosing instead Rated Top Ten to stay close to them, tolerate your Brunches By differences, advocate for what youd OpenTable.com like and hope that theyll shift in your direction over time. Its worth asking Subscribers yourself whether you really took this stance in hope of ultimately changing your familys minds or if you were actually choosing them over Amy out of Happy fear or for some other reason. An important rst step is to fully Hour Menu understand Amys position. Learn Drinks & Small Plates as much as you can about why she Priced Perfectly does not want to attend your familys Christmas celebration. Is it because $5 to $10 shes hurt? Seeking revenge? Or is she perhaps testing your loyalty? ADVERTISING Dont try to convince Amy that she PROOF #1and join the ISSUE DATE: 12.20.13 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: JERYL PARADE (jparade@@washblade.com) needs to forgive your family celebration. Her anger is hers to have, REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered nal and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of and ultimately hers to resolve, if she the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts REVISIONS omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is ever wishes to do so. responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users REDESIGN Tis, The Season To can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or TEXT REVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any If you want Amy to spend Christmas copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS Go Brunching competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, with you and your family, NO this is a prime or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE REVISIONS washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contr Fa,La,La,La,La... La,La,La,Lah!!! opportunity to practice your inuence liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This includes but is n by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertisers breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule. and warranties. skills. Though you have no guarantee of success, do your best to explain why its Unlimited so important to you that she join your Champagne!! parents celebration. Keep in mind that the holidays are a Saturdays: $25.95 loaded season and Christmas is a short A-La-Carte deadline for resolving a situation that has been evolving for years. In time, 202.872.1126 Saturdays: $35.95 your family and Amy may be able to bbgwdc.com mend fences. In the meanwhile, you Buffet th 1 7 & Rhode Island Ave, NW have a difcult decision to make.

BEACON BAR & GRILL

Lose Weight & Get Toned for 2014

washingtonblade.com 38 DECEMBER 20, 2013 SPORTIN IN D.C.

Organizers hoping for strong turnout for Cleveland Gay Games

By KEVIN MAJOROS

It has been more than four years since Washington lost the Gay Games 9 (gg9cle.com) bid to Cleveland/Akron and the sting of that loss has faded. Now its time to seriously start thinking about your plans to go to Cleveland for the Gay Games to be held Aug. 9-16. Cleveland? Akron? Ive been hearing a lot of rumbling in the LGBT sports community locally and nationally about the location of the 1150 18th Street, NW, Suite 130 I Washington, DC Games. People are asking, Why would I want to go to Cleveland or Akron? www.benchgym.com I 202.775.9400 Whats in it for you and why should Like us on Facebook. you attend? For those of you whove participated at the Games in the past, you know the reasons. For those of you whove not, I will supply a few. The LGBT sports movement has been experiencing a great amount of support and progression over the past few years. The media will be in Cleveland on a large scale and this is our opportunity to shine as athletes and support our community. I remember in 2006 when USA Today ran a cover story about the Chicago Gay Games and I was pleasantly surprised. During and after the Games, I didnt see a lot of coverage. I think that will be different this time because the LGBT sports community now has a larger presence. Paris recently won the bid for Gay Games 10 in 2018. If the Cleveland/ Akron Games fail, there will be no Paris. While its true that the Gay Games received a $250,000 grant from the A D V E R T I Cleveland SING PR OOF Foundation as a presenting ISSUE DATE: 12.20.13 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS (bpitts@washblade.com) sponsor (a rst for the Games), if attendance is poor, it will hamper the So You Can & AND Enjoy Your Life REVIEW Relax AD FOR COPY DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered nal and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of efforts to fund the Paris Games. the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts NS omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is According to Les Johnson, a responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users GN Specializing in... can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or EVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any Federation of Gay Games board copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair /LOGO REVISIONS Auto, Home, Renters, Motorcycle, Boat, Life, competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, member, Cleveland and Akron are or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE SIONS washington blade) and to hold brown pitts omnimedia By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the Health, Annuities, Disability & naff Long Term llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all excited about us coming. liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertisers breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule. Care Insurance. Business General Liability & and warranties. Washington D.C. has big things Workers Compensation, E&O, EPLI, Condo & happening here all the time, Johnson Apartment Association Policies. says. The Gay Games are a really big thing for both Cleveland and Akron and Jonna S. Wooten, Agent they are looking forward to hosting us. 8148 Electric Avenue There will be more than 35 sports Vienna, VA 22182-5230 contested in Cleveland and Akron and 703.560.7804 the sports venues are top notch, from jonna.wooten.loy3@statefarm.com the Cleveland State aquatic facility to jonnawooten.com the Firestone Stadium softball venue Se habla espaol. to the University of Akron track &

Weight Loss Muscle Size Tone Core

eld stadium. This is an opportunity to compete at well-run facilities with experienced ofcials. You might be thinking that Cleveland doesnt have a large gay scene. Thats true, but what do you think happens when 10,000 LGBT athletes from more than 65 countries invade a town for eight days? It becomes very gay. Youll see the LGBT community in force at restaurants, bars, tourist attractions and especially on public transport. At the past few Games Ive met most of my cohorts for the week on public transport. One of the popular features from the Cologne Games in 2010 and a personal favorite of mine were the athlete villages. Every day after competing, thousands of athletes and supporters converge on the villages for music, dancing, drinking, food and people watching. Dinner with the Icelandic swim team, beers with the Irish soccer team what more can you ask for? Another thing to be excited about is marching into the opening ceremonies with 10,000 athletes from all over the world. The Cleveland/Akron Games will open at the Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland. The Arena is home to the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Assocaiton, the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League and the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League. Team D.C. (teamdc.org) is expecting to send more than 400 athletes from our LGBT sports community. Team D.C. will once again coordinate the uniforms and will march in together representing Washington behind the District ag and the Team D.C. banner. We always get a huge response. Based on what Ive heard so far, we will be represented in the sports of swimming, water polo, softball, soccer, ag football, tennis, running, triathlon, bowling, cycling, basketball, dancesport, open water swimming, volleyball and track & eld. The closing ceremonies will be held at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland and represents the last chance to hang out with all the new friends you made during the week. Team D.C. is offering a discounted registration price for the Gay Games which ends Jan. 8. The code is teamdc. What are you waiting for? Eight days of sports, music and world culture are calling your name.

washingtonblade.com AUTOS D ECEMBER 20, 2013 39

AUDI ALLROAD

THE

2013 SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0i

LEASE FOR ONLY

Vehicles that stop you from slip-sliding away

By JOE PHILLIPS When the weather outside is frightful, then four-wheel drive is so delightful. Thats true for all the rides below, some of which also offer front-wheel drive for slightly better gas mileage. But why go for two, when four-wheel is best in all kinds of weather? So, let it rain, let it sleet, let it snow. Its all good. AUDI ALLROAD $42,000 MPG: 20 city/27 highway 0-60 mph: 6.5 seconds Cargo space: 51 cu. ft. A station wagon. Really? The label sounds so dowdy these days. Yet just when you thought crossovers were putting a nal nail in the wagons cofn, along comes this tire-screecher. Like a towel snap to the butt, the Allroad jolts you alive with punchy acceleration, quick braking and a hearty exhaust rumble. The steering wheel is so responsive, you may be tempted to steer with only your pinky nger. But use both hands to get the full effect of cornering and slaloming (er, safely, of course). Inside the whisperquiet cabin, its easy to imagine NASCAR wannabes loving the form-tting seats. And while the backup camera is great, theres so much visibility from the drivers seat even with the side and rear pillars you dont need it. Sure, the Allroad may be built on the same platform as the smallish A4 sedan, but the extra cargo space and long panoramic sunroof make this sport wagon feel much bigger. FORD ESCAPE $28,000 MPG: 22 city/30 highway 0-to-60 mph: 7 seconds (for AWD or 9.4 seconds for FWD) Cargo space: 36.9 cu. ft. Based on the same platform as the popular Ford Focus, the Escape has similar styling, high-quality materials and superb handling. While the lack of real power is typical for most compact crossovers, you can step up to a turbo

for more gusto. Standard features on all models include blind-spot mirror, rearview camera, Bluetooth and Sync voice-command interface. The top-ofthe line Titanium model even has Benzlike comforts: remote start, 10-speaker stereo, ambient interior lighting and an automated parallel-parking system. SUBARU FORSTER $22,000 MPG: 24 city/32 highway 0-60 mph: 9 seconds Cargo space: 74.7 cu. ft. The Forester a popular gay icon has been fully redesigned, with more room and better gas mileage. Designwise, the same recipe for success is still here: car-like ride, high ground clearance and user-friendly hatchback. This is no true off roader, yet it handles potholes and back roads with ease. The cabin is much hipper now, with updated gauges and trim, though the overall feel remains utilitarian rather than luxe. But compared with, say, the glitzy Audi Allroad, a base Forester is half the price. High-end options include power liftgate, heated seats/mirrors, lane-departure warning and nav system with voice controls. NISSAN PATHFINDER $28,000 MPG: 20 city/26 highway 0-to-60 mph: 8 seconds Cargo space: 79.8 cu. ft. Nissan just remade its truck-based Pathnder into a comfortable crossover, with less road vibrations and nimbler handling. The look is softer, too, with rounded edges and large chrome grille. Gone is any real off-road capability or towing capacity. But theres plenty of interior room, with second row seats that slide forward to easily access the third row. And storage bins abound, with three yes, three bottle holders in each rear door panel. The interior is just a notch below Innitis highend standards, and there are plenty of options: heated front/rear seats, large eight-inch touchscreen display, dual panoramic sunroof and 360-degree parking camera. Theres even a hybrid, with a 500-mile range and fun energyow diagrams on the info screen.

STOCK #11156S | MODEL: DJA-01 | MSRP: $20,165

159/

FOR 36 MONTHS $1,959 DUE AT SIGNING

MONTH

NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED. IMAGE IS FOR ILLUSTRATION PUPROSES ONLY. LEASE TERM IS FOR 36 MONTHS/10,000 MILES PER YEAR. PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE TAX, TAGS, AND DEALER PROCESSING FEE OF $389. PAYMENT STRUCTURED FOR WELL QUALIFIED BUYERS. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS OR COUPONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR BEYER SUBARU SALES CONSULTANT FOR MORE DETAILS. MUST TAKE DELIVERY OF VEHICLE BY 12/31/13.

L AND ROVER ALEX ANDRIA

2013 RANGE ROVER EVOQUE: ONLY $299/MONTH

36 MONTH/10,000 MILE LEASE | STOCK #12953L | MSRP: $47,815

40 DECEMBER 20, 2013

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

F APR % 0 PLUS

AS MONTHS E L T R EA OR 72

TH UP TO $ N O OR ES

S60 CT 2013 M O V L O V S E LE 4 N 1 O 20 VINGS W E N L- 500 IN SA E AL 6

C60 ELS! X D OD AN

4800 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, DC 20016 202-537-3000

st e g r a L DCs Dealer! Volvo

*MONTHLY PAYMENT OF $499 BASED ON $43,515 MSRP OF 2014 XC60 T6 AWD WITH HEATED DEATS AND METALLIC PAINT, INCLUDES DESTINATION CHARGE AND APPLICATION OF $500 VOLVO ALLOWANCE. ** MONTHLY PAYMENT OF $379, BASED ON $33,315 MSRP OF 2014 S60 FWD, INCLUDES DESTINATION CHARGE AND APPLICATION OF $500 VOLVO ALLOWANCE. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED. LESSEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXCESS WEAR AND MILEAGE OVER 10,000 MILES/YEAR AT $0.25 / MILE. EXCLUDES $915 DESTINATION CHARGE. TAKE NEW RETAIL DELIVERY FROM RETAILER STOCK BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1, 2013 AND JANUARY 2, 2014. CARS SHOWN WITH OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT. ADVERTISED LEASE PAYMENT AND FINANCING EXCLUDES, TAXES, TITLE, AND REGIS. FEES AND IS AVAILABLE FOR QUALIFIED CUSTOMERS BASED ON FICO SCORE THROUGH VOLVO CAR FINANCIAL SERVICES. PAYMENTS MAY VARY, AS RETAILER DETERMINES PRICE. OFFERS AVAILABLE AT PARTICIPATING RETAILERS. SEE RETAILER OR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS. PURCHASE OR FINANCE: $2,500 INCLUDES APPLICATION OF $500 VOLVO ALLOWANCE AND $2,000 LOYALTY BONUS. 2013 VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC. THE IRON MARK IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF VOLVO. PLEASE VISIT WWW.VOLVOCARS.COM/US/OFFERDETAILS OR YOUR LOCAL RETAILER FOR DETAILS.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DECEMBER 20, 2013 41

The holiday menace

Agents hard at work amid December bustle
By VALERIE M. BLAKE Most agents will tell you that the weeks between Thanksgiving and mid-January are some of the slowest in the real estate business, as people begin to focus less on housing and more on family and spiritual pursuits during the holiday season. While that may be true in general, the transient nature of the D.C. metropolitan area and its continued low inventory of homes keep things humming along here more than in many parts of the country. With interest rates creeping upward and new mortgage lending rules that could make qualifying for a loan more difcult in 2014, some buyers have stepped up their timetable. And while many real estate agents are indeed baking cookies, scheduling family visits, planning trips to warmer climates or just sitting back and sipping eggnog, others are still hard at work. It is with that thought that I wanted to share my recent experience with you. Twas the week before Christmas and here in D.C., I hadnt found time yet to put up a tree or nish my shopping, or send out a greeting to clients by email, by text, or by tweeting. Instead of enjoying a long winters snooze, I had agents, attorneys and lenders to schmooze. I sat at my desk as I tried to remember just when I last had such a busy December. I scheduled inspections and settlement dates while my Schnauzers slept soundly all snug in their crates. Their little legs moved as in dreams they gave chase to critters that ran at a frenetic pace. I proofread a contract and then just for sport, reviewed the results of a termite report. I made a few phone calls and couldnt resist checking off several things from my long to do list. It seemed for a moment I might get a break for my beverage of choice and a Porterhouse steak when out on the street there arose such a clatter I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter. Away to the window I ew like a ash with my doggies in tow like a hundredyard dash. I parted the draperies and peered through the glass expecting to see what had caused the loud crash. And what to my wondering eyes did appear but a red-suited man with six-pack of beer and a UPS driver all dressed up in brown whose eyebrows were narrowing into a frown. His truck, it was dented, his uniform, tattered, his packages strewn on the ground were all shattered. The red-suited man was surveying the scene surrounded by reindeer and elves dressed in green. He bowed to the driver and said with chagrin, What an awkward position we nd ourselves in. Well, the driver, in no mood to be so polite, shook his st and replied with his eyes shining bright, Dont try to pretend this is my fault! Enough! Now you tell me, just whos going to pay for this stuff? But the red-suited gentleman seemed not to hear as he belched and he hiccupped and opened a beer. He raised up the can and he took a long draught while I watched from the window and had a good laugh. Then much to my horror, he looked up and froze as the UPS guy punched him square in the nose. The force of the blow made him sit with a plop and he stayed on the ground til the dizziness stopped. Then slowly he rose from his sitting position, assessing with care his most current condition. Hey, Rudolph, he called, I am still quite alive, but I think I should sleep in the back while you drive. From the rear of his transport he pulled out a sack lled with money to pay Mr. UPS back. Then I heard him exclaim as he boarded the sleigh so he could get sober and be on his way, This drinking and ying is really a bummer. Next year Ill deliver my gifts in a Hummer. Have a safe and happy holiday season!

VALERIE M. BLAKE is with Keller Williams Capital Properties. Reach her at 202-246-8602 or Valerie@DCHomeQuest.com. Each Keller Williams Realty ofce is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

THE MONDRIAN
R FO NT RE
Rho de Is land Ave.

WINDOWS AND DOORS PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED

LOGAN CIRCLE

P St.

O St.
Verm ont A ve.

13th St.

12th St.

N St.

The best-kept secret in Washington!

RENTS STARTS AT $1895 PER MONTH! Near 3 Metro StopS, USt aND VerizoN CeNter. SpaCioUS 1, 2 or 3 beDrooMS, With balCoNieS, garage parkiNg, froNt DeSk, SeCUrity, fitNeSS CeNter & roof DeCk. beSt ValUe DoWNtoWN! MENTION BLADE14 FOR RENT SPECIAL.

CALL 202.371.1747 OR TEXT 703.628.4663

1200 N St NW WDC 20005

on your window replacement project.*

PLUS

20%
for 12 months!**

SAVE

Happy Holidays

from Dave Lloyd & Associates

SELLERS: Did you know that discounted/ poor marketing is paid for out of your home equity? Let my proven full service marketing plan work for you to acheive top dollar for your home. BUYERS: Use my experience and free Buyer representation to your advantage. Dont make one of your largest investment decisions without competent guidance. Call, email, or text Weicherts #1 Agent in Arlington today, he would love to talk with you.

0% INTEREST & NO PAYMENTS

202.683.7000

Call today to schedule a free in-home consultation, or visit our showroom located at 5528 Nicholson Lane, Rockville, MD. Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday by appointment only www.ShopMarvinWindowsDC.com

DAVE LLOYD & ASSOCIATES 703-593-3204 WWW.DAVELLOYD.NET

*OFFER DETAILS: *Offer expires 12/31/13 and may not be combined with other offers or prior purchases. 20% savings applied to the purchase of 7 or more installed windows. Discount applies to retail product purchase only. **Financing available with approved credit. Hammer and Nail Exteriors, Inc. is neither a broker nor a lender. Financing provided by third-party lenders unafliated with Hammer and Nail Exteriors, Inc. 0% Interest and No Payments for 12 months assumes payment in full prior to end of 12 month promotional period. 2013 Marvin Windows and Doors. All rights reserved. Registered trademark of Marvin Windows and Doors. License numbers available upon request.

NEW LISTINGS

42 DECEMBER 20, 2013

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

People want local small businesses to win, says KATHY DALBY, and we have to earn that every day.
WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

1914 North Adams Street Arlington, VA 22201 $789,990

Pacers Running Stores combine specialty retail with community events

By MARK LEE The formula is simple, really, says Pacers Running Stores executive vicepresident of retail and managing partner for events Kathy Dalby, but, like any small business, we have to work our tails off. Five Washington-area running specialty stores serve as unique centers for an ever-burgeoning number of running enthusiasts. Combining customer-centric retail with community-building races has been key to expanding the successful enterprise. The independent business has grown to both a multi-store retail operation with an afliated events company. The rst D.C. location, near Logan Circle at 1427 P St., N.W., opened in summer 2010, joining current Virginia storefronts in Alexandria, Clarendon and Pentagon Row in Arlington, and Old Town Fairfax. All serve as hubs for local runners offering a full range of running gear along with training advice, motivation and coaching, and a robust schedule of regular fun-runs and special race events. The original Old Town Alexandria location, a short sprint from the King Street Metro, opened its doors in 1991. Twelve years later then-employee and former University of Virginia collegiate runner Chris Farley, now corporate owner and general manager, acquired the business with the angel investment of his family. Like other store employees and managers, Dalby started working part-time on the shop oor, a continuation of a college stint working at a running store in California. Moving to the area following studies at Michigan State and with a masters degree in public health, she landed a law rm job specializing in Medicare reimbursement. Dalby soon discovered, however, that the quintessential Washington occupation was not to her liking. Having always been entrepreneurial in spirit and with an events background, Dalby explains, led her to make a career change. I love how we have integrated those two things, she adds, engaging in authentic and com-

Stunning four-level urban townhouse just 4.5 blocks to Courthouse Metro! A simply elegant light-lled townhome with an open main oor features a lovely family room with gas replace, a powder room and a stylish dining room off the gourmet eat-in kitchen that opens perfectly to a wonderful deck. This ne home offers tall ceilings, gleaming hardwood oors on the main level, plantation shutters and surround sound in the family room, a large kitchen island, generous cabinetry and a perfect pantry. The oversized master bedroom with two closets is enhanced with a spainspired bath! This home also offers a two-car garage. This home is conveniently situated to everywhere you want to be and minutes to Clarendon and Courthouse shops, dining, theater and metro. Do not miss this rare opportunity to live in the heart of Arlington!

Dominion Hills 952 N. Patrick Henry Drive Arlington, VA 22205 $649,000 www.952PatrickHenryDr.com

An amazing home with thoughtful custom details for todays active family! Start off on the main level with the formal living room that offers a wood burning replace; the formal dining room transitions perfectly to the most amazing gourmet kitchen giving direct access to a treed and beautifully landscaped backyard. Located upstairs are three bedrooms and one full bathroom. The lower level boasts a great recreation room, an ofce and a full bathroom. There are three nished levels that are lled with light, the main and upper levels offer beautiful hardwood oors. The kitchen and family room combine for easy entertaining and everyday function. The kitchen does double duty as the household command center with stunning custom cabinetry, recessed lighting and stainless steel appliances. This home is located within minutes to the East Falls Church Metro, allowing for easy access to downtown DC. This home sits in the McKinley, Swanson and Yorktown school pyramid.

ANN WILSON

Associate Broker GRI, CRS, ABR, EcoBroker, CLHMS Lifetime Top Producer, NVAR Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club Keller Williams Realty 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22201 703.328.0532 - cell - 800.455.3119 - fax

munity-focused relationship building. Many of the approximately 25 fulltime employees and 60-some parttimers come from similar backgrounds. When being tted for the right running shoe, customers might be assisted by a former or current mortgage broker, architect, librarian or other professional. We make an investment in both the people and the customers of Pacers, Dalby says, noting the genuinely small business enjoys long-time employee retention. She points out that the business is proud to hire customers for both store positions and to assist with race events. Last weekend, the Pacers-sponsored 10th annual Jingle All the Way 8K drew nearly 4,500 and lled downtown District streets with Santa-costumed runners in a light snow. The rst store event was held in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 , surprising staff when 4,000 runners turned out, raising $120,000 in relief funds. Pacers has been a sponsor of D.C. Front Runners, the LGBT-and-friends running club, and Capital Pride. Alongside fundraising well over halfa-million dollars for local charities, the company recently launched its DCXC Project supporting development of distance running and tness programs at area schools. By working with cross country and track programs, and supported by vendor partners such as New Balance, Pacers helps engage youth in the sport of running while encouraging life-long tness habits, including among underserved communities. The same philosophy guides the award-winning business, named a Top 50 national running store for seven years, in its approach to customer service. Pacers staff, including two trainers rotating among stores, guide those just starting out or getting back into a running regimen by connecting them with other runners and running groups to achieve their training goals. More than an endorphin empire for professional runners, Pacers has built success one stride at a time. People want local small businesses to win, Dalby points out, and we have to earn that every day.
MARK LEE is a long-time entrepreneur and community business advocate. Follow on Twitter: @ MarkLeeDC. Reach him at OurBusinessMatters@gmail.com.

www.AnnWilsonHomes.com
Licensed Realtor in VA and DC

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DECEMBER 20, 2013 43

professionaldirectory
IndividualssCouplessSex

Sid Binks, PhD, ABPP-CN

Board Certied in Clinical Neuropsychology Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Helping People Grow Stronger in Rough Times

This beautifully maintained 115 acre horse farm includes a circa 1785 5 bedroom main house, a 12 stall Belmont barn with 8 paddocks, heated waterers, a new generator and a separate tack room. There are 4 additional dwellings (including newly renovated managers house and guest house), extensive greenhouses, gardens, a pool, and a 5 acre pond. Property with potential Easement Restrictions. $4,900,000 Michael Radkowsky, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist

Near Woodley & Cleveland Park metro (202) 234-3278 www.personalgrowthzone.com

s20 years experience

Individual & Couples Therapy for the LGBTQ Community 20 years experience!
3000 Connecticut Ave. NW 202.255.5187 SidBinks@aol.com

LGBTC.com/staff/sidney_binks.html

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Results-Oriented q Affordable
25 years serving the lgbt community
See website for NPR story on my work

Larry Cohen, LICSW

202-244-0903 socialanxietyhelp.com

Windamere is located in the heart of Orange County Hunt territory. The farm offers beautiful rolling pastures, 26 acres, mountain views two ponds, 7 stall barn and a fully restored Manor House. With hardwood floors in the living & dining rooms and large, the large windows feature views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The grand foyer & bright kitchen have marble floors. There are 5 bedrooms, 5 1/2 bathrooms; the master bedroom includes a large double vanity bathroom & spacious closet/dressing room. $3,100,000

THOMAS JENKINS & COMPANY

Certied Public Accountants
Corporation, Partnership, Trust, Individual Income Tax & Financial Planning

202-547-9004
Washington, DC

Douglas L. Romberg, Ph.D.

(202) 296-0033 Dupont Circle (703) 790-0038 Northern VA

Coming Out Concerns About Intimacy, Partner Choice, Family, Relationship Stress, Anxiety, Depression Chronic Illness

Therapy for Adults, Adolescents & Couples

PROOF #1

ISSUE DATE: 01.25.13

SALES REPRESENTATIVE: JERYL PARADE (jparade@washblad

the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts REVISIONS omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users REDESIGN Family Medicine, HIV Diagnosis & Treatment can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or TEXT REVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the NO REVISIONS washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all

JOEL C. ANG, M.D.

REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered nal and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of

Custom-built stone, brick, and cedar estate on 3.54 acres w/ features and amenities ideal for life style full of entertaining, leisure, & enjoyment. Special features include heated indoor pool, a sports pub, a regulation racquetball court with hoop, audio/video system w/ 2 home theaters, rooftop deck, picnic pavilion w/ gas barbecue, potting shed, 2+ 2-car garages, & caretaker apartment. $1,765,000

www.qstreetmds.com
1759 Q St. NW, WDC Red Line Metro Dupont Circle

Adult Primary Care liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertisers breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties. Copies of records at each visit Insurance Accepted Instant HIV/Syphilis/Herpes Testing CLIA Certified In-House Laboratory CALL TODAY TO PLACE YOUR AD

SIMPLE AFFORDABLE PROVEN RESULTS 202.747.2077

ADV

By sign washin payme

PROOF #1
PROOF #1

ISSUE DATE: 09.16.11

Parking Available Free Wi-Fi Same Day Appointments SALES REPRESENTATIVE: JERYL PARADE (jparade@washblade.com)

202-667-5041

A D V E RT I S I N G
ADVERTISING PROOF

by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertisers breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule. with full bath. Three car garage and a beautiful covered back and warranties. porch. $1,175,000 PROOF #1 ISSUE DATE: 01.06.12 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: PHIL ROCKSTROH (prockstroh@washblade.com)

REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will beDATE: considered nal and will be submitted forREPRESENTATIVE: publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date ISSUE 02.03.12 SALES JERYL PARADE (jparade@washblade.com) of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible REVIEW AD FOR DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date can of link through for any legal liability arising outCOPY of or AND relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users proof. Proof will be represents considered nal and will submitted for publication if revision is any not submitted within 24 or hours of rgihts of third the advertisement. Advertiser that its be advertisement will not violate criminal laws any the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts REVISIONS parties, including, but not to, such blade) violations as infringement or and/or misapporpriation of Advertiser any copyright, patent, omnimedia llc limited (dba the washington is not responsible for the content design of your ad. is responsible for any legal liability arising out proprietary of or relating toor thepropety advertisement, and/or any advertising, material to which users competition, REDESIGN trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other right, false unfair can link through the advertisement. Advertiser violation represents that its advertisement will notlaw violate any criminal laws or defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, of anti-discrimination or regulation, or any other right TEXT REVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff proprietary pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) and Former Westport III Model Home available on 3+ acres in of any person orcopyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other or propety right, false advertising, unfair IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of the privacy or rights of celebrity, of anti-discrimination law regulation, hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba washington blade)violation harmless from any and allor liability, loss, damages, By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract o Middleburg, VA! Light filled open floor plan featuring 5 to or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE NO REVISIONS claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred naff pitts washington blade newspaper. This but is not lim washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any by and brown all By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations withincludes the bedrooms with 4 full and 2 half baths. Fully finished lower level omnimedia llc, arising of or related advertisers any of legal the fees foregoing representations and warranties. liability, out loss, damages, claims, to or causes of action, breach including of reasonable and expenses that may be incurred payment and insertion washington blade newspaper. This includes but is notschedule. limited to placement,

REVISIONS REDESIGN TEXT REVISIONS IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS NO REVISIONS

.com y a R o Talkt

was named #1 RE/MAX REALTOR ADVERTISER SIGNATURE for Alexandria, Arlington and DC Aand D V 2013! E RT I S I N in 2012

Ray Gernhart
(o) 703-824-4731 (c) 703-855-6384

REVISIONS REDESIGN TEXT REVISIONS IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS NO REVISIONS

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

You deserve the best!

TalktoRay.com

ADVERTISER SIGNATURE

By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract o washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not lim payment and insertion schedule.

44 DECEMBER 20, 2013

LEGAL NOTICE
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION 2013 ADM 1180 Barrett L. Brick, a/k/a Barrett Lee Brick, Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS. Noah Wofsy, whose address is 2012 Wyoming Ave, NW, #501, Washington, DC 20009 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Barrett L. Brick, aka Barrett Lee Brick who died on September 22, 2013 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedents Will) shall be led with the Register of Wills, D.C. Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington DC 20001, on or before 6/6/14. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or led with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 6/6/14, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of rst publication: 12/6/13. Noah Wofsy, Personal Representative. A True Test Copy, Anne Meister, Register of Wills. SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION 2013 ADM 1218 Gertrude Delno, Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS. Ernest C. Raskauskas, Jr., whose address is 3109 South St, NW, Washington, DC 20007 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gertrude Delno who died on October 13, 2013 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedents Will) shall be led with the Register of Wills, D.C. Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington DC 20001, on or before 6/13/14. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or led with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 6/13/14, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of rst publication: 12/13/13. Ernest C. Raskauskas, Jr., Personal Representative. A True Test Copy, Anne Meister, Register of Wills.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
HOME/OFFICE CLEANING by one neat guy! One-time or regular service. Responsible & reasonable rates. Call 202-276-9272.

ADVERTISE

BEST RATES
BEST RESULTS

bladeclassieds

HOME IMPROVEMENT
TWO POOR TEACHERS Kitchen & Bath Remodeling in Northern VA. Call for free estimate! Two Poor Teachers at 703-969-1179.

MOVERS
OUR GUYS AROUND TOWN MOVERS. Professional Moving & Storage. Let Our Guys Do The Heavy Lifting. Mention the Blade for 10% off of our regular rates. Call today 202.734.3080. www.ourguysatmovers.com.

REFRESH YOURSELF.Massage, Reexology, Reiki & Craniosacral energy work.Sun-Wed, Rosslyn/Ft. Myer Heights, & Thurs-SatTuSuva, Adams Morgan. For VA appts. 301-704-1158. For DC appts. 202-299-9005 request Gary. http://www.mymassagebygary.com/. ITS NICE TO BE KNEADED! For quality, consistency & trust; choose an experienced, intuitive masseur. For appts. 703-402-6698. You wont regret it! BEST MASSAGE by male certied therapist. Soothing Swedish; deep-tissue; stress & pain release. Safe Atmospher in Annandale, VA, almost riht off I-395. Days/Eve/Wkend. In/ Out calls. Hotels welcome. Call Marval (703) 568-6348.

EMPLOYMENT
NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE DC OFFICE Finance Associate 20 hrs. per wk. See full job description at www.thetaskforce. org/about_us/employment. EXPERIENCED MANAGER LOOKING for Position. I have been in Property Management for 18 years. Extensive experience in building operations, customer service, stafng, marketing, budget creation, nancial reporting, etc. I am looking for something with long-term opportunities. Open to a career change. If interested please contact me at vaughn@vsuit.com (Serious Inquiries Only). LOCKER ROOM ATTENDANTS NEEDED! The Crew Club, a gay mens naturist gym & sauna, is now hiring Locker Room Attendants. We all scrub toilets & do heavy cleaning. You must be physically able to handle the work & have a great attitude doing it. No drunks/ druggies need apply. Please call Richard at (202) 319-1333. from 9-5pm, to schedule an interview.

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED ONLINE washingtonblade.com

PHOTOGRAPHY
STEVE OTOOLE PHOTOGRAPHY Fine Art Photographer for portraits, weddings & dating photos for the internet. Call (703) 532-3031. www.steveotoolephotography.com.

WEDDINGS
CANTOR JINNY - YOUR Wedding Your Way. Well work together nding the right vows, blessings, & expressions to make the ceremony ow with your personal touch. Cantorjinny@gmail.com 703-282-6505.

PAINTING
INTERIOR PAINTING SPECIALISTS. Want a new look before the holidays? Work done in 1 day, Quality Assured, 20+ years experience. FREE In-person assessment. 703-583-9274. PaintMyRoomPros.com.

COUNSELING
A MINDFULNESS-BASED MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE specializing in a holistic approach to anxiety, depression, careers, & relationships. 20 years experience helping people identify & overcome impediments to a fullling life, satisfying careers, & healthy relationships. Jonathan Kirkendall MA LPC, 202.550.3589, www.dclpc.com. LGBTQ AFFIRMING THERAPY at Dupont Circle Individuals, couples, families, adolescents. Over 15 years serving the community. Mike Giordano, LICSW. 202/4606384 mike.giordano.msw@gmail.com. www. WhatIHearYouSaying.com. COUNSELING FOR GAY MEN. Individual/ couple counseling w/ volunteer peer counselor. Gay Mens Counseling Community since 1973. 202-580-8861. gaymenscounseling.org. No fees, donation requested. CHANGES ARE EASIER WITH HELP . Small, private practice group of experienced, caring therapists.Safe, condential setting. Ofces in Woodley Park & Takoma Park near Metro.Licensed professionals.Insurance reimbursable.Washington Therapy Guild. Call 202-483-2660. www.therapyguild.net.

CLEANING HEATING / AC
TOO NEAT GUYS INC. Residential & Commercial cleaning in DC & Northern VA. Over 17 years experience, gay owned, licensed, bonded & insured. www. tooneatguys.com, email: tooneat@comcast. net, (703) 622-5983. FERNANDOS CLEANING: Residential & Commercial Cleaning, Reasonable Rates, Free Estimates, Routine, 1-Time, Move-In/ Move-Out. (202) 234-7050, 202-486-6183. MAID TO CLEAN. Rated #1 in Metro DC. Gay owned. Serving DC/VA. DC & VA (703) 2990101. Visit www.maidtoclean.com.

LEGAL SERVICES
FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM Representing the GLBT community for over 30 years. Family adoptions, estate planning, immigration, employment. (301) 891-2200.Silber, Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, P .A. www.SP-Law. com. ADOPTION & ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE Law Attorney Jennifer Fairfax represents clients in Maryland & D.C. interested in adoption or ART matters.301-221-9651,JFairfax@ jenniferfairfax.com.

LIMOUSINES
KASPERS LIVERY SERVICE Gay Veteran Owned Operated Since 1987! 2013 BMW 740LI Special Airport Rates! 24 Hour Reservations. 202-554-2471 - 800-455-2471. www.KasperLivery.com. Click the rates tab!

ROOFING
PJ McTAVISH & CO. ROOFING Repairs, New Roof, Gutter Cleaning. Licensed - Bonded Insured. See our display ad in this issue. 301476-8551. Wood & Whitacre Contracting - see our ad online at washingtonblade.com/classieds.

MASSAGE / CERTIFIED
YOURE WORKING THAT BODY HARD. Come to a professional massage therapist offering the best deep tissue massage available. Stretching, Swedish & Sports massage. $70-1 hr./$100-90 mins. Dupont. Marcio (202) 271-9440. www.MarciosMassage.com.

202-747-2077 enhance your ad with our upgrades like pictures bold teXt large teXt color AND MORE!

CONTACT US AT

PETS & SUPPLIES

ADOPT AN ADORABLE PUPPY OR DOG All-breed, non-prot rescue. 100% volunteer run. Donations welcome & needed. www. aforeverhome.org. LOOKING FOR THAT special someone? Loving vet-checked cats & kittens waiting to meet you. Feline Foundation 703-920-8665. Application & adoption fair schedule online at www.ffgw.org. MARVELOUS MAIDS Professional Cleaning Service, Residential, Commercial Properties. Same Day or Next Day Services Move In/ Out Construction Clean Up. Licensed & Insured! Call for Free Estimates 703-256-4118. marvelousmaids2order@cox.net.

TREE CARE
BRANCHES - FULL SERVICE Tree Expert Company. Certied Arborists, pruning, insect & disease diagnosis, treatment & removal. 301-589-6181. www.BranchesTreeExperts. com. Angies List Award Winner 09, 10, 11, 12.

DECEMBER 20, 2013 45

SAKAI (left) and KOBE are obvious Steelers fans. Especially since appearing in a commercial with Steelers player Troy Polamalu (think HUGE hair). The pair are named after the Japanese Top Chefs. Thank you to David for sending in the their pictures!
If you would like to have your pet in the paper, please send a photo and description to ewommack@washblade.com.

202-747-2077 ENHANCE YOUR AD WITH OUR UPGRADES LIKE PICTURES BOLD TEXT LARGE TEXT COLOR AND MORE!
all classied ads - including regular and adult - must be received by mondays at 5pm so they can be included in that weeks edition of the washington blade and washingtonblade.com

CONTACT US AT

Crescent Luxury Apartment Homes boast high ceilings, open kitchens, granite countertops and European-style cabinetry, spacious bedrooms with walk-in closets, and spa-inspired bathrooms with glass showers! Crescent Falls Church. Schedule your tour today, call 866-261-7253, or visit our Website!

SALE / MD
COLLEGE PARK METRO $344,000 4-LEVEL Brick Split-Level ! 3 Bedrooms,3 Bathrooms, Huge Deck! Garage! Party Room! Fireplace! Gourmet Kitchen! LARRY PERRIN REALTOR (301) 983-0601 LJPerrin@aol.com.

DEADLINES

MONTGOMERY VILLAGE TOWNHOUSES *10000 Wedge Way $229,995 LARRY PERRIN REALTOR (301) 983-0601 LJPerrin@aol.com.

SHARE / DC
CAPITOL HILL (2-1/2 blocks eastern mkt) small bright furn/unfurn BR share w/ 3 gay friendly men, $700+utilities. Avail Immediately. Pete 202-544-5688.

REAL ESTATE
GALE STORM TEAM - Realtors The Realtors you refer to your Friends & Family! Looking to sell or buy a home? Call us! 202-355-4316. www.gayrealtors.us.com. Licensed in DC, MD & VA.

RENT / VA CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERFRONT

ADVERTISE

Magnicent Views of the Bay!! Beautiful Updated 3 bedroom, 3 bath Home, just 24 miles to Wash DC. Professionally landscaped with private Pier. $659,900 Call Steve and Holly Meehan Century 21 New Millenium direct 1-443-336-6886 ofce 1-410-266-9005.

BEST RATES
BEST RESULTS

bladeclassieds

46 DECEMBER 20, 2013

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

WOMENS PERSONALS
GWF, soft butch, attractive, blue eyes, brown hair. I walk ve miles everyday, except Sundays. I like movies, music, playing cards, tv, pizza. ISO GWF feminine, atrractive for friendship &/or long term relationship. If you are interested, call Debbie, 703-368-3618.

MASSAGE SILVER SPRING est 2004. Where some of the nicest guys in town come for one of the best massages in town...sensuous erotic naked. Days/ Evenings $70 one hour..parking/metro BRUNO 301 580 2716. EROTIC SWEDISH MASSAGE - healthy clean cut guy, 61, 160 lbs, Dupont Circle, massage table, noon to 1:00 a.m., indulge your body. $70 for 1 hour. Bill 202-728-0238. AFFORDABLE MASSAGE by friendly & intuitive Latin male, in relaxing, priv. studio just 15 min from DC inArlington. Plenty of Parking.Same day appts, 703-401-9093 or a2006mx@yahoo.com. THE MAGIC TOUCH: Swedish, Massage or Deep Tissue. Appts 202-486-6183, Low Rates, 24/7, In-Calls.

MENS PERSONALS
ATTRACTIVE, ITALIAN, GWM, 40s Inshape. Seeking down to earth guy for dating & more. Have many varied interests. Serious replies only. 202-306-0288. SEEKING I ISO some guys I used to know, Mark Gunnell, Eric Schnell, & Wesley Matthews. 301-503-4263. LOOKING FOR a man between the ages of 59 - 70 for fun & more. I am a friendly, down to earth black man. McCloud 202-733-2881. BLACK MALE TOP seeks black or latino male bottom, 50 - 65 yrs with whom to celebrate the holidays as friends with benets. Please call 202-251-0091. FUN IN THE SUN WM, 50s, Hiv+, seeks men for dating and more. Heading for Florida soon and looking for winter playmate. No text, lets talk. Richard 301-537-1877. Casually Seeking I am WM 45 6 look 30s except white hair. WANT WM 64+ 240#s+ 4 dating etc. 301-503-4263.

Float away in complete & total ecstasy! Tom 202-289-7367.

SENSUAL MASSAGE

ESCORTS
Never hired before? Get tips for a good experience here: http://beforeyoucome. blogspot.com

BODYWORK

TED 5 11, 155lbs, 30yo, 9X6, Versatile Top 202.271.0440. The Blacklist Site Real Recourse for Male Escorts & Masseurs. (Now a National service) http://BlackListedJohn.com.

WHITE HOUSE ATHLETIC CLUB masseur (former) Custom bodywork! Quality massage by a nationally certied masseur. Exceptional deep tissue & sensual bodywork for total stress relief in private studio.4 Handed Massage Available. (Shower & parking available, 2.5 blocks to Metro on Capitol Hill) Call Erik 202544-7905 or 202-285-5709. for one of the best. In calls only. $89.00 SPECIAL Reg. $130.

FREE
PERSONALS AD
ISO GWM, Over 30 Years, Over $30K (at least). Must love my dog!

SPECIALTY ADULT

Hot Latino w/ a special touch. 32 yo, 5 9, 165 lbs, Offering full body release in a private atmosphere. In/out. Parking Available, hotels welcome, Silver Spring/DC area, 24/7. 240462-8669 brazilusa50@yahoo.com.

JUST LUCAS

Need a shot of pleasure? Strong sensual paws for your willing body. Tom 202-289-7367. SOOTHING SUPERB, SENSUAL massage by in shape attractive guy. Calif. certied, comfortable massage table. 2 Metro stops from Dupont. Private entrance. In/Out. 10 AM - 11 PM. David 202-421-8900. BLONDE GI 6 0 , 165 lbs, Good looking, athletic, well-endowed. Sensual Massage & More. Eli (703) 599-2668.

BEAR HUNTING

RENT-A-DUNGEON Explore your fantasies! Surprise a BF or FB. Awesome, clean, discrete. Fully equipped private DC playroom. Dungeon Massage Available. (Tutorial/ instruction available). Dungeon Master - 202544-8094.

PLACE YOUR FREE PERSONALS AD ONLINE TODAY!

www.washingtonblade.com/classieds

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DECEMBER 20, 2013 47

1321 14TH STREET NW WASHINGTON DC 20005 202.319.1333